MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A troubling incident occurred during a town hall meeting hosted by Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minneapolis on January 27, 2026, when a man sprayed an unknown substance at her. This act of aggression resulted in immediate chaos, with bystanders cheering as security tackled the assailant to the ground. Video footage captured the moment a member of the audience exclaimed, "Oh my god, he sprayed something on her."
Prior to the attack, Rep. Omar had been addressing federal immigration enforcement issues, calling for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanding the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The tensions surrounding immigration policies had escalated recently, particularly following two high-profile fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis police reported that officers witnessed the man, identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, use a syringe to spray a liquid at Omar. He was swiftly arrested and charged with third-degree assault. Forensic scientists were called to the scene to analyze the substance. Witness accounts described a strong, vinegarlike odor, and although no one in the crowd appeared to suffer physical effects, some attendees, including Minneapolis Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, expressed distress at the experience.
Despite the alarming event, Omar resumed her town hall meeting for an additional 25 minutes, asserting her resolve to continue her work despite the intimidation attempt. Afterward, she informed attendees and later shared on the social media platform X that she was physically unharmed and remains committed to her advocacy. "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 wrote.
The White House, as of Tuesday night, had not issued a statement regarding the incident. President Donald Trump has frequently criticized Omar in the past, referring to her in derogatory terms, particularly in light of the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration issues in Minnesota, a state with a significant Somali population.
In the aftermath of the assault, notable political figures including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the act of violence. Walz expressed relief that Omar was unharmed and highlighted the need for a cessation of inflammatory rhetoric in political discourse. Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace also denounced the attack, stating that no elected official should be subject to physical violence, regardless of political disagreement.
This incident underscores a broader trend of rising threats faced by members of Congress, particularly after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol Police reported a significant increase in threats, with nearly 15,000 concerning communications directed at lawmakers in 2024, marking a severe escalation from previous years.
The attack on Omar has ignited discussions about safety for public officials, as increasing numbers of lawmakers express concerns over their ability to hold town halls due to escalating threat levels. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous environment facing public figures today. Following the event, Capitol Police announced that they were working closely with federal partners to ensure that the attacker faced serious charges, aiming to deter similar acts of violence in the future.
