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U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked with an unknown substance during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, marking another troubling incident in a wave of rising threats against lawmakers.
The attack occurred as Omar was addressing immigration issues, having just called for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. According to Minneapolis police, 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak used a syringe to spray a liquid at the Democratic congresswoman, which reportedly had a strong vinegarlike odor.
Audience members tackled the assailant to the ground immediately following the attack. Onlookers reported that a device containing what appeared to be a light-brown liquid fell to the ground during the confrontation. Police quickly arrested Kazmierczak and booked him at the county jail for third-degree assault, with forensic scientists responding to analyze the substance.
Despite the assault, Omar continued speaking for about 25 more minutes, demonstrating her resolve not to be intimidated. “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win,” she later posted on social media platform X.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis over federal immigration enforcement actions. The community has been reeling from two recent fatal shootings of local residents by federal immigration agents during the Trump administration’s massive immigration enforcement surge. Intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was killed on Saturday, less than three weeks after Renee Good, a mother of three, was fatally shot while in her vehicle.
Minneapolis Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw and state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion were also reportedly exposed to the substance, though no one in the audience of approximately 100 people showed noticeable physical reactions to it.
The attack follows hours after President Donald Trump criticized Omar during a speech in Iowa. Trump has frequently targeted Omar in his rhetoric, referring to her as “garbage” during a Cabinet meeting in December and questioning her patriotism. Omar, who became a U.S. citizen after fleeing civil war in Somalia at age eight, represents a district that includes Minneapolis, home to approximately 84,000 people of Somali descent—nearly a third of all Somalis living in the United States.
Political leaders from both parties quickly condemned the attack. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, expressed gratitude for Omar’s safety while criticizing “cruel, inflammatory, dehumanizing rhetoric by our nation’s leaders.” Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina stated, “Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric—and I do—no elected official should face physical attacks. This is not who we are.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the attack “unacceptable” and thanked police for their quick response, adding that “this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our city.”
The assault on Omar comes amid an alarming increase in threats against members of Congress. According to the U.S. Capitol Police, there were 14,938 “concerning statements, behaviors, and communications directed against lawmakers, their families, staff and the Capitol Complex” in 2025—a sharp increase from 9,474 cases in 2024. This marks the third consecutive year of rising threats against legislators.
Just days earlier, Democratic Florida Representative Maxwell Frost was allegedly punched in the face during the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, with his attacker reportedly saying Trump was going to deport him.
The rising threat environment has affected lawmakers’ ability to hold public events, with some citing safety concerns in their decisions not to seek reelection. Following the attack on Omar, the U.S. Capitol Police announced they were working with federal partners to ensure the assailant “faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society.”
As lawmakers continue to face increasing threats, many are questioning how to maintain public accessibility while ensuring their safety in an increasingly volatile political climate.
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8 Comments
This is a deeply troubling incident that highlights the rise of political violence and extremism in our country. I hope the authorities can swiftly determine the motive behind this attack and ensure the perpetrator faces appropriate consequences. Elected officials should be able to engage with their constituents without fear of harm.
Agreed. Political discourse should never devolve into physical violence, no matter one’s views. I hope this serves as a wake-up call for improved security and deescalation measures to protect our democratic institutions.
While the details are still emerging, it’s clear that this was a serious and potentially dangerous assault. I commend Rep. Omar for her resilience and determination to continue speaking despite the attack. Incidents like this underscore the need for robust security measures to protect our public servants.
While the details are still unclear, any attack on an elected representative is unacceptable and undermines the principles of our democracy. I’m glad Rep. Omar was unharmed and able to continue her event. Hopefully, the investigation will shed light on the motives behind this incident and prevent similar attacks in the future.
I’m curious to know more about the substance used in this attack and the assailant’s motivations. Spraying an unknown liquid at a public event is extremely reckless and concerning. Hopefully the investigation will uncover the full details and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Absolutely. The safety and security of our elected officials should be a top priority. I hope the authorities can get to the bottom of this and ensure Rep. Omar’s continued wellbeing.
This is a troubling incident that highlights the need for greater security and protection for our elected officials. While the motive is unclear, any attack on a lawmaker is unacceptable and should be condemned. I’m glad Rep. Omar was unharmed and able to continue her event.
Agreed. It’s disturbing to see such a brazen assault on an elected representative. Lawmakers should be able to engage with their constituents without fear of violence or harassment.