Man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Omar is charged with assaulting and intimidating her

Federal prosecutors have charged a Minnesota man with assault after he sprayed Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar at a Minneapolis event, part of a growing pattern of threats against elected officials.

Anthony Kazmierczak faces federal charges for forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding, and intimidating the congresswoman during Tuesday’s incident. According to court documents, Kazmierczak appeared to say, “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart,” after dousing Omar with the liquid. The affidavit also revealed that Kazmierczak had previously told an associate that “somebody should kill” Omar.

During Thursday’s federal court appearance, Kazmierczak’s attorney, Jean Brandl, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster that her client was unmedicated at the time of the incident and requires treatment for Parkinson’s disease and other serious medical conditions. Judge Foster ordered Kazmierczak to remain in custody and directed officials to ensure he receives medical attention upon transfer to Sherburne County Jail.

In addition to the federal case, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced state charges against Kazmierczak for terroristic threats and fifth-degree assault. Moriarty emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “This was a disturbing assault on Rep. Omar, who is frequently the target of vilifying language by fellow elected officials and members of the public.”

The attack occurs amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis, where two people have been fatally shot by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations. The political climate has grown increasingly volatile, with threats against members of Congress reaching alarming levels in recent years.

Omar, who came to the United States as a refugee from Somalia and became one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, has frequently been targeted by former President Donald Trump. Throughout her seven years in office, Trump has made inflammatory comments about Omar, including telling her to “go back” to her country and describing her as “garbage.” Just hours before the attack, during a speech in Iowa, Trump criticized immigrants who aren’t “proud of the United States — not like Ilhan Omar.”

Following the incident, Omar directly linked Trump’s rhetoric to threats against her safety, telling reporters, “Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket.” Trump responded by suggesting without evidence that Omar had staged the attack, telling ABC News, “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

Kazmierczak’s social media presence reveals a history of posting content supportive of Trump while criticizing Democrats and making racially charged statements. Minnesota court records indicate a criminal history including felony auto theft, multiple DUI arrests, and financial troubles resulting in two bankruptcy filings.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed the federal charges. “The dangerous climate of dehumanization that inevitably leads to such violent acts puts public servants and entire communities at risk,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

The U.S. Capitol Police report that threats against members of Congress have increased significantly in recent years, peaking after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack by Trump supporters. Officials investigated nearly 15,000 concerning communications and behaviors directed at members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex in 2023.

Moriarty’s decision to pursue state charges alongside the federal case appears strategically motivated, as she specifically noted, “A state-level conviction is not subject to a presidential pardon now or in the future.”

The incident highlights the growing concerns about political violence in America as polarization continues to intensify ahead of the November election.