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The Democrat Congresswoman was targeted by a man with a syringe as tensions continue to grow in the US following ICE shootings.
09:40, Wed, Jan 28, 2026 Updated: 09:43, Wed, Jan 28, 2026
A man is tackled after spraying an unknown substance at US Representative Ilhan Omar (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A US congresswoman who was attacked with an unknown substance at a town hall in Minnesota was caught on microphone reacting to the unprovoked incident. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat who was speaking at a local meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 27, was sprayed by an audience member using a syringe, according to police. Ms Omar had called for Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to resign over the shooting of Alex Pretti before the protester, later identified as Anthony J. Kazmierczak, 55, ran towards her, wielding the mysterious liquid.
Her reaction was caught on hot mic, where she could be heard muttering: "F**king a**hole" as the man was dragged away by security, according to reports. Kazmierczak is believed to be a Donald Trump supporter, having posted photos of the US President on his Facebook page, according to the Daily Mail.
Ms Omar said she 'wouldn't let bullies win' after the attack (Image: AP)
The 55-year-old was charged with third-degree assault and is being held in custody without bail, according to the local sheriff's office.
It comes amid growing tensions and division over federal immigration enforcement in the US, after agents fatally shot Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, and Renee Good, a mother of three, this month.
Ms Omar, who became the first Somali-American and first African-born American to serve in the US Congress in 2019, wrote on X after the attack: "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."
Donald Trump suggested the Democrat congresswoman was a 'fraud' (Image: Getty)
A spokesperson for the United States Capitol Police said on Tuesday: "Tonight, a man is in custody after he decided to assault a Member of Congress - an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice.
"We are grateful for the rapid response of onsite security and our local law enforcement partners."
Mr Trump reacted to the news by labelling Ms Omar a "fraud" and suggesting she had faked the attack against her.
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"No, I don't think about her," he told ABC News. "I think she's a fraud. I really don't think about that. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her."
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey also condemned the attack. "Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis," he said. "We can disagree without putting people at risk. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in our city."
English (US) · 