A somber political town hall in Minneapolis turned chaotic on Tuesday evening, January 27, when a man approached U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar and sprayed a liquid substance toward her from a syringe before being subdued by security and arrested, authorities said. The incident occurred as Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District, was addressing constituents on polarizing issues, including immigration enforcement and federal policies affecting local communities.
The crowd had gathered at the Urban League Twin Cities facility for what was billed as a town hall meeting focused on federal immigration enforcement, the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and rising tensions in Minneapolis following the recent fatal shootings by federal agents. Omar was delivering remarks calling for the abolition of ICE and urging the resignation or impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when the disruption unfolded.
Video footage and eyewitness accounts show the man rising from the front row of the audience and moving quickly toward the podium. As Omar spoke, he extended a syringe containing an orange-tinted liquid and discharged its contents in her direction. Security personnel and members of the audience immediately tackled him to the ground and restrained him as the congresswoman paused briefly.
Minneapolis police took the suspect into custody at the scene. Officers identified him as 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, a longtime Minneapolis resident. He was booked into Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of third-degree assault, and federal prosecutors later filed an assault charge, alleging he “forcibly assaulted, opposed, impeded, intimidated and interfered” with a U.S. government official, a violation of federal law.
Preliminary forensic analysis determined that the substance sprayed at Omar was a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar, a relatively mild acidic liquid. Despite staining her clothing and producing a strong odor, initial tests indicate the substance was not toxic. Investigators from the Minneapolis Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and forensic teams continue to examine evidence and interview witnesses.
Omar, 43, was not physically injured during the incident and declined immediate medical attention. After security cleared the area, she resumed her remarks and later condemned the attack during a press conference. In her response, the congresswoman emphasized her resolve to continue serving her constituents and condemned the use of violence as a political tool. She framed the episode as part of a broader pattern of threats and hostility toward her office.
“The presence of this small agitator won’t deter me from doing my work,” Omar told reporters, reiterating her commitment to address contentious issues facing Minnesota, including immigration policy and public safety concerns. Her office released a statement underscoring that she would not bow to intimidation and had spoken with law enforcement about ongoing security measures.
The attack drew swift condemnation from local and national leaders across the political spectrum. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the incident “deeply concerning” and pledged full support for law enforcement’s investigation. Multiple lawmakers condemned the act as an assault on democratic discourse and civic engagement.
The man now faces both federal and additional potential state charges, including terroristic threats and assault. Court filings also revealed that Kazmierczak has a history of making threatening remarks about Omar and holds extreme political views, according to authorities. His attorney, however, asserted that medical issues and lack of treatment at the time may have contributed to his actions; the suspect is being held in custody with potential medical evaluation to follow.
The incident comes against a backdrop of heightened political tension in Minneapolis. The city has seen robust public debate and protest in recent weeks after federal immigration operations resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens. Omar has been a vocal critic of immigration enforcement policies, amplifying concerns among immigrant communities and civil rights advocates.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized Omar in political rhetoric, made unsubstantiated claims suggesting the incident might have been staged, despite video evidence and official statements confirming the assault. Such claims drew further backlash from supporters of the congresswoman and political analysts who warned against misinformation inflaming public tensions.
As investigations continue, authorities said they are examining the motive behind the attack and whether the suspect acted alone or had broader connections. Community leaders called for unity and a reaffirmation of civility in public discourse, urging an end to violence against public officials regardless of political differences.
