Incident at Ilhan Omar's Town Hall Raises Concerns Over Political Violence

Sat Jan 31 2026 13:51:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A Minneapolis town hall featuring Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar was disrupted when a man sprayed an unknown substance at her, leading to discussions about rising threats against lawmakers.

During a town hall event in Minneapolis, Rep. Ilhan Omar was targeted when Anthony Kazmierczak sprayed an unidentified substance at her. Kazmierczak, a supporter of former President Trump and with a history of criminal activities, was arrested at the scene. Despite the attack, Omar continued to address the audience, insisting she wouldn’t be intimidated. The incident follows a troubling trend of increased threats against political figures across the nation, with concerns growing for their safety during public appearances.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A town hall event held by Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar in Minneapolis turned chaotic when a man sprayed an unknown liquid at her. The assailant, identified as Anthony Kazmierczak, aged 55, has a history of felony convictions and has publicly supported Donald Trump.

Kazmierczak's criminal background includes felony auto theft and multiple driving offenses, raising questions about his motivations and mental state. After calling for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Omar was attacked by Kazmierczak, who used a syringe to spray a fluid that witnesses later described as having a vinegary odor.

Immediate action from security staff led to Kazmierczak's arrest, who now faces preliminary charges of third-degree assault, though it remains unclear if he has legal representation. The liquid has not been identified, although forensic experts are involved in the ongoing investigation.

Omar continued her speech despite the incident, expressing resilience saying, 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. This incident has drawn attention to the rising trend of threats against political figures and the challenges they face in engaging with the public.

In the days following the attack, U.S. Capitol Police reported an increase in threats against lawmakers, reinforcing the urgent need for security measures during public events. As the political climate grows more volatile, the safety of representatives like Omar comes into sharp focus, echoing concerns raised after previous incidents, including an assault on a fellow lawmaker at a public event.