Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked during an event she was hosting on Tuesday, when an audience member used a syringe to spray liquid at her, according to Minneapolis police.
Omar was unharmed and continued speaking, declaring, 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 shared on X.
Authorities have yet to determine the nature of the sprayed liquid, which reportedly had a sour smell similar to a chemical product. The attacker, 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, has been charged with third-degree assault and is in custody, as stated by the local sheriff's office.
Ilhan Omar, a Democrat and the first Somali-American to serve in the U.S. Congress, has been a vocal critic of President Trump, especially regarding his immigration policies that disproportionately affect communities of color. She was addressing contentious immigration issues at the town hall meeting, which drew around 100 attendees.
During her speech, she called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a point that had intensified recent local protests amid a wave of violence related to immigration enforcement. The event's timing coincided with the aftermath of two shooting incidents in Minnesota, leading to heightened tensions.
Before the incident, Trump had criticized Omar in public speeches, often targeting her policies and suggesting immigrants needed to demonstrate patriotism. In response to the attack, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned violence and intimidation, reinforcing that such behavior is unacceptable in their community.
Despite the attack, Omar participated actively, encouraging her audience to stay engaged, stating, We are Minnesota strong. After the interruption, she requested just ten more minutes to finish her address and not allow the aggressor to dominate the narrative.
