U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Somali-born Democratic member of the House of Representatives, was attacked during a town hall event in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when a man sprayed her with an unknown liquid as she addressed the crowd.
The incident occurred on January 27, 2026, shortly after Omar criticized federal immigration enforcement policies and called for changes to how the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operate.
According to police and video footage, a 55-year-old attendee, later identified as Anthony Kazmierczak, rose from the front row and sprayed an unidentified substance at Omar before being tackled by security and detained by police. Witnesses described the spray as having a strong, unpleasant odor.
Omar was not seriously injured and resumed her remarks, telling supporters she would not be intimidated. “We are Minnesota strong,” she said, emphasizing resilience in the face of the attack.
The episode drew swift condemnation from lawmakers across the political spectrum. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has frequently targeted Omar with harsh rhetoric, dismissed the seriousness of the incident, suggesting without evidence that she may have had “herself sprayed.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate, including identifying the substance used and reviewing security at public events.
