Speaking prior to the incident , Ms Omar, who has been the victim of racial slurs and derogatory remarks from President Trump and his supporters, called for the abolishment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She also told attendees that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should resign, stating that “ICE cannot be reformed.” After being approached at the lectern by a man wearing a black jacket, Ms Omar turned to face him and moved towards him with her arm raised, seemingly not cowered.
NEW -- Rep. Ilhan Omar was just charged by a man at a town hall event in Minneapolis. Crowd says he "sprayed her" with something.
You can hear Omar demand to continue the town hall -- and she's back to speaking now from the podium. pic.twitter.com/4OpSWHo0Z9
The audience cheered as the man was pinned down and his arms were tied behind his back.
In video footage of the incident, someone in the crowd can be heard saying: “Oh my God, he sprayed something on her.”
Ms Omar continued the event after the man was ushered out of the room.
Speaking after the incident, the congresswoman’s office issued a statement, confirming that Ms Omar was sprayed “with a syringe.”
It read: “During her town hall, an agitator tried to attack the Congresswoman by spraying an unknown substance with a syringe. Security and the Minneapolis Police Department quickly apprehended the individual. He is now in custody.
“The Congresswoman is okay. She continued with her town hall because she doesn’t let bullies win.”
Tensions remain high in Minneapolis following two shootings by ICE agents (Image: Getty)
Ms Omar added on 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. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”
Many online were full of praise for Ms Omar’s response to the attack.
Karly Kingsley said on X: “Can we talk about how Ilhan Omar was ready to throw hands with a man twice her size and then just got straight back to work?
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“I wish I lived in Minnesota just so I could vote for her.”
Another added: “Ilhan Omar spent four years in a refugee camp and ended up becoming a Congresswoman. She represents the best of America, while Donald Trump represents the worst.”
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English (US) · 