Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was assaulted during a town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday when a man sprayed an unknown substance at her using a syringe.
The assailant, seated in the front row, jumped up and directed the spray at the American-Somali lawmaker. Attendees and security swiftly tackled him to the ground, with a voice from the crowd heard exclaiming, “Oh my God, he sprayed something on her.”
Minneapolis police confirmed the arrest, stating the man was booked on suspicion of third-degree assault. Officers noted a strong, vinegar-like odor at the scene.
Despite the attack, Omar resumed the event after the suspect was removed, telling the audience, “we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw on us.” She later posted on social media platform X, “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.”
The incident occurred shortly after Omar criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stating, “ICE cannot be reformed,” and calling for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Congresswoman Omar is a frequent target of former President Donald Trump, who earlier on Tuesday told a crowd in Iowa that immigrants must “show that they love our country,” adding, “not like Ilhan Omar… She comes from a country that’s a disaster.”
Condemnation came from across the political spectrum. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace stated, “Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric — and I do — no elected official should face physical attacks.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also denounced the assault as “unacceptable.”
This attack follows a recent incident where Rep. Maxwell Frost was punched at a festival in Utah. Threats against U.S. lawmakers have risen sharply in recent years, affecting their willingness to hold public events.
