“I don’t permit bullies to triumph.” Those were the defiant words from Representative Ilhan Omar after a terrifying assault during a Minneapolis town hall. From a syringe-wielding attacker to a high-stakes standoff with federal policy, this moment is shaking the political landscape. WATCH the footage of the incident and see the congresswoman’s incredible display of resilience as the nation reacts to a surge in political threats.
Minnesota Congresswoman remains defiant after being sprayed with a chemical substance while calling for the dissolution of ICE
By Ana Faguy, Helen Sullivan, and Kristina Volk January 28, 2026
NEED TO KNOW
- Representative Ilhan Omar was assaulted with a syringe during a public event in Minneapolis.
- The suspect, Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, has been apprehended and charged with third-degree assault.
- Omar, a frequent target of President Trump’s rhetoric, refused to end the event despite the attack.
- The assault follows a period of heightened tension regarding federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
“I don’t permit bullies to triumph,” declares US congresswoman Ilhan Omar after a substance was thrown at her during a public gathering. The Minnesota legislator was assaulted on Tuesday at an event she was hosting when an audience member utilized a syringe to spray fluid at her, according to the Minneapolis police. Omar was unhurt and persisted in her address. “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this minor provocateur isn’t going to daunt me from performing my duties. I don’t let bullies win,” she subsequently posted on X.
Although officials urged Omar to conclude the gathering, the congresswoman maintained that she would proceed, telling her listeners: “We will continue… we are Minnesota strong“. Upon returning to the lectern, she added: “We’re gonna keep talking. Just give me 10 minutes. Please don’t let them have the show”.
The Investigation and Suspect
Authorities have not yet determined the exact nature of the liquid. According to a BBC journalist present in the room, it possessed a pungent odor comparable to a chemical product. Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, has been accused of third-degree assault and remains in custody, the local sheriff’s office stated. Kazmierczak was promptly apprehended at the scene, and forensic teams were active at the location following the disturbance.
As he was removed from the room after using the syringe, the aggressor claimed that Omar was “pitting us against each other,” though his specific meaning was not immediately evident.
Political Context and Rising Tensions
Omar, a Democrat who in 2019 became the initial Somali-American to serve in the US Congress, is a strenuous critic of US President Donald Trump. She has recently condemned the president’s immigration offensive in Minnesota, during which two US citizens were fatally shot. In January, an immigration official fatally shot US citizen Renee Good, and on Saturday, US citizen Alex Pretti was killed after being intercepted by border agents, sparking local demonstrations and national discontent.
During her speaking event, Omar advocated for the dissolution of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a primary agency responsible for executing federal operations that has faced heavy investigation for its methods. It was following Omar’s remarks regarding Kristi Noem—asserting that the DHS leader should “quit or undergo impeachment”—that the assault occurred.
Reactions from Leadership
President Trump has repeatedly conflicted with Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and has frequently singled out Omar for personal denunciation, previously labeling her a “radical left lunatic”. Before Tuesday’s incident, he told an Iowa crowd that immigrants “have to show that they can love our country… not like Ilhan Omar”. When asked by ABC News if he had viewed the clip of the attack, Trump replied that he had not, stating, “I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud”.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated on social media that “aggression and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis,” adding that such behavior will not be tolerated. One attendee, Alfred Flowers Jr, told the BBC he “admired her bravery and fortitude to remain and conclude the town hall for the public”.
The assault comes as the US Capitol Police reported a 50% surge in threats to lawmakers last year, with the total number of investigations rising to 14,938.
