Ilhan Omar Defiant After Man Sprays Substance at Minnesota Town Hall

Rep. Ilhan Omar brushed off an apparent attack at a Minnesota town hall, saying intimidation would not stop her after a man rushed the stage and sprayed a substance.

Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar remained defiant Tuesday after a man rushed the podium during a town hall and sprayed an unknown substance in her direction. Despite staff urging her to end the event early and seek medical attention, Omar continued and later said she was unharmed.

“I have survived war,” Omar said after the event. “I’m definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think they can throw at me.” Omar came to the U.S. as a refugee after fleeing Somalia’s civil war.

The suspect was identified as 55-year-old Anthony J. Kazmierczak, according to Minneapolis police. He was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and booked into Hennepin County Jail. Authorities have not yet released charging details, and it remains unclear what substance was used.

City forensic teams processed the scene, and investigators noted the suspect had previously shared political content online critical of Omar.

U.S. Capitol Police condemned the incident, calling it unacceptable and pledging to pursue the most serious charges possible. The agency also reported a sharp rise in threats against members of Congress, with nearly 15,000 concerning incidents investigated last year — a significant increase from the year before.

The confrontation came during a high-profile appearance by Omar, who has been outspoken against the Trump administration’s immigration policies in Minneapolis. She criticized federal enforcement actions in the city and renewed calls for major changes to immigration enforcement.

Despite the disruption, Omar praised Minnesotans for supporting one another. “We are showing the country and the world what real solidarity looks like,” she said.

President Donald Trump later said he had no interest in watching footage of the incident when asked by reporters.