Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was sprayed with an unknown substance from a syringe by an attendee during a town hall event in north Minneapolis.
The incident occurred Tuesday evening as Omar was addressing constituents during a public town hall focused on immigration enforcement and the recent Border Patrol shooting of 37-year-old U.S. citizen Alex Pretti.
During her remarks, Omar had called for the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) assaulted during town hall meeting: "Here's the reality that people like this ugly man don't understand; we are Minnesota strong and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us." pic.twitter.com/Ud5l3yP4lQ
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 28, 2026
Video footage from the event shows a man rushing toward Omar as she stood near the front of the room and spraying a liquid from a syringe in her direction.
Security personnel immediately intervened, restraining the individual and escorting him away as the event briefly paused.
The man was later identified by Minneapolis police as 55-year-old Anthony J. Kazmierczak. According to authorities, Kazmierczak shouted at Omar to resign and accused her of “tearing Minnesota apart” before he was removed by security guards.
Minneapolis Police said officers on site took Kazmierczak into custody without further incident. He was booked into the Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of third-degree assault.
“Representative Omar was uninjured and resumed speaking at the event,” Minneapolis Police Department public information officer Trevor Folke said in a statement. “Minneapolis forensic scientists responded to process the scene.”
Police said the substance sprayed from the syringe was collected as part of the investigation. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the nature of the liquid or whether additional charges could be filed pending further testing.
According to the Associated Press, the liquid inside the syringe appeared to be light-brown, and the area had a “strong, vinegarlike smell,” after he sprayed it.
Following the disruption, Omar briefly addressed the crowd and confirmed that she intended to continue the town hall.
“We will continue,” Omar said, according to video footage of the incident. “These people are not going to intimidate us.”
She was later seen asking for a napkin and responding to bystanders who suggested she seek medical attention. Omar said she would be checked after the event but emphasized that she felt well enough to proceed.
After the town hall concluded, Omar spoke briefly with reporters and supporters, saying she was not deterred by the confrontation.
“I have survived war, and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think they can throw at me,” Omar said. “I’m built that way.”
In a statement posted later on social media, the congresswoman said she was not injured and thanked attendees who supported her following the incident.
“I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work,” Omar wrote. “I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”
A spokesperson for Omar said the incident was handled swiftly by security and local law enforcement.
“During her town hall, an agitator tried to attack the Congresswoman by spraying an unknown substance with a syringe,” the spokesperson said.
“Security and the Minneapolis Police Department quickly apprehended the individual. He is now in custody. The Congresswoman is okay and continued with her town hall.”
The U.S. Capitol Police also issued a statement condemning the incident and pledging accountability.
“This was an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice,” the agency said. “We are grateful for the rapid response of onsite security and our local law enforcement partners. We are now working with our federal partners to see this man faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, condemned the assault and praised the police response.
“Unacceptable. Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis,” Frey said in a statement. “We can disagree without putting people at risk. I’m relieved Rep. Omar is okay and appreciate MPD for responding quickly.”
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina also denounced the attack, despite her policy disagreements with Omar.
“I am deeply disturbed to learn that Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall today,” Mace wrote on the social platform X.
“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.”
I am deeply disturbed to learn that Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall today. 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.pic.twitter.com/2kNUqcnAb8
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 28, 2026
The confrontation came amid heightened political tensions in Minnesota related to federal immigration enforcement and recent agent-involved shootings in the Twin Cities.
Earlier this month, Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement operation in north Minneapolis.
The shooting has sparked protests, political debate and calls for investigations at the local, state and federal levels.
During the town hall, Omar referenced the Pretti shooting and renewed her calls for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment.
“DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment,” Omar said during her remarks, according to video from the event.
After the attack, Trump called Omar a “fraud” and suggested that she orchestrated the attack.
“No. I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud. I really don’t think about that. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her,” the president told ABC News’ Rachel Scott.
Just spoke to Pres. Trump. I asked him if he had seen the video of Rep. Omar being attacked and sprayed by a substance.
“No. I don't think about her. I think she's a fraud. I really don't think about that. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her,” the president said.
I…
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) January 28, 2026
Trump added about the viral video, “I haven’t seen it. No, no. I hope I don’t have to bother.”
President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Omar in recent weeks as his administration escalated immigration enforcement efforts in Minneapolis.
On Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the Department of Justice and Congress were “looking at” the Minnesota congresswoman.
“Additionally, the DOJ and Congress are looking at ‘Congresswoman’ Ilhan Omar, who left Somalia with NOTHING, and is now reportedly worth more than 44 Million Dollars,” Trump wrote. “Time will tell all.”
Omar responded by accusing the president of deflection. “Sorry, Trump, your support is collapsing and you’re panicking,” Omar tweeted. “Right on cue, you’re deflecting from your failures with lies and conspiracy theories about me.”
Sorry, Trump, your support is collapsing and you’re panicking.
Right on cue, you’re deflecting from your failures with lies and conspiracy theories about me. Years of “investigations" have found nothing.
Get your goons out of Minnesota. https://t.co/OXYdRIcdHB
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 26, 2026
Trump also criticized Omar during an appearance in Iowa on Tuesday, where he addressed supporters as part of an aggressive push ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
“They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar,” Trump said while discussing immigration, drawing boos from the crowd when Omar’s name was mentioned.
The president went on to frame the midterm elections as a test of his second-term agenda, warning supporters that losing control of Congress would jeopardize his tax, border and economic policies.
“We got to win the midterms. That means Senate. And it means House,” Trump added. “We gotta win.”
The incident involving Omar occurred the same day Minnesota voters participated in two special elections for state House seats.
Democrats Meg Luger-Nikolai and Shelly Buck won races in House Districts 64A and 47A, respectively, according to election officials.
The results left the Minnesota House evenly divided between the parties, while Democrats retained a narrow 34–33 majority in the state Senate.
Law enforcement officials said the investigation into the syringe incident remains ongoing, including analysis of the substance involved and a review of available video footage.
Omar’s office said the congresswoman is cooperating with authorities and continuing her official duties.
