Minneapolis —
Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar forcefully condemned what she described as “terrorizing” federal immigration tactics and escalating Republican attacks after a man rushed the stage and sprayed an unknown substance at her during a town hall meeting Tuesday night.
Despite frantic pleas from staffers to shut down the event and seek medical attention, Omar insisted on continuing the town hall and addressing constituents. She was not injured in the incident.
“I have survived war,” Omar said afterward. “I am definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think they can throw at me—because I’m built that way.”
Omar came to the United States as a refugee after fleeing Somalia’s civil war and has frequently invoked her background when speaking about political violence and threats.
Suspect arrested as concerns over political violence grow
Authorities identified the suspect as Anthony J. Kazmierczak, a 55-year-old Minneapolis resident, according to a spokesperson for the Minneapolis Police Department. Officers arrested Kazmierczak on suspicion of third-degree assault, and he was booked into the Hennepin County Jail.
Court records do not yet list formal charges or legal representation, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed Wednesday that it has not received the case.
The substance sprayed during the incident has not been publicly identified. City forensic scientists processed the scene, according to a police incident report cited by CNN affiliate KARE.
Kazmierczak has a documented history of sharing political content online. In 2021, he posted a political cartoon criticizing Omar’s position on police funding amid national calls to defund law enforcement.
The US Capitol Police condemned the attack, calling it “an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice,” and said it is working to ensure the suspect faces the most serious charges possible.
In a separate statement, Capitol Police revealed that in 2025 they investigated 14,938 threats and concerning communications directed at members of Congress and their families—a nearly 58% increase from the previous year.
Omar denounces immigration enforcement under Trump
The attack came during a high-profile public appearance as Omar sharply criticized the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, which she called reckless, lawless, and fundamentally un-American.
She accused federal immigration agents of using fear as a tool and said their actions were “terrorizing” immigrant communities.
“This is not the America we love,” Omar told attendees.
She renewed her call for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanded the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Omar also praised Minneapolis residents for resisting intimidation and supporting vulnerable communities amid recent immigration enforcement actions and the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
“Minnesotans are showing up for one another in ways people didn’t expect,” she said. “We are showing the country and the world what real solidarity looks like—and we should be damn proud.”
Trump dismisses attack, escalates rhetoric
President Donald Trump dismissed the incident when asked about it Tuesday night during an interview with ABC News.
“I don’t think about her,” Trump said. “I think she’s a fraud. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
Trump said he had no interest in watching footage of the attack and brushed off follow-up questions.
His comments drew immediate backlash from Democrats and renewed criticism over the tone of political discourse.
Bipartisan condemnation, calls to lower the temperature
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz condemned the attack, warning that political rhetoric has contributed to a dangerous climate.
“Our state has been shattered by political violence in the last year,” Walz wrote on X. “The cruel, inflammatory, dehumanizing rhetoric by our nation’s leaders needs to stop immediately.”
Several Republican lawmakers also denounced the assault.
Rep. Mike Lawler called it “unacceptable,” while Rep. Mark Alford condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms.” Rep. Nancy Mace, despite disagreeing with Omar politically, said no elected official should face physical harm.
“This is not who we are,” Mace said.
Renewed GOP scrutiny and investigations
The incident unfolded as Omar faces renewed scrutiny from Republicans in Washington. The Justice Department and the House Oversight Committee confirmed they are examining her finances, following claims by Trump and Oversight Chairman James Comer.
Omar’s most recent financial disclosure showed her husband holds stakes in a venture capital firm and a winery valued between $6 million and $30 million.
According to The New York Times, the Justice Department opened a probe into Omar’s finances in 2024 during the Biden administration, but it stalled due to insufficient evidence.
Trump revived the issue this week, claiming without evidence that Omar is worth more than $44 million, a figure that has not been substantiated.
The House Oversight Committee is investigating whether her husband’s finances are connected to alleged fraud at Somali-run childcare centers in Minnesota. Comer said the inquiry is about transparency and that Omar and her husband would receive due process.
The committee has not yet contacted Omar or her spouse.
A familiar target
Omar, 43, was first elected to the Minnesota legislature in 2016 and entered Congress in 2018 as one of the first Muslim-American women elected to the House. She has long been the target of Republican attacks, including racist smears, threats of deportation, and repeated calls for impeachment.
Trump has previously said Omar should be jailed or deported—despite her becoming a US citizen in 2000. Omar revealed at the town hall that she now carries her passport with her at all times.
“I don’t know any home the way I know this home,” she said of the United States. “And I feel deeply for immigrants who are being traumatized right now.”
Omar fires back
Omar responded directly to Trump’s remarks on X, accusing him of deflecting from political failures.
“Sorry, Trump, your support is collapsing and you’re panicking,” she wrote. “Right on cue, you’re deflecting with lies and conspiracy theories. Years of investigations have found nothing.”
She added: “Get your goons out of Minnesota.”