A man sprayed an unidentified substance at U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall event in Minneapolis, where tensions have escalated over federal immigration enforcement following the recent fatal shootings of an ICU nurse and a mother of three. The audience reacted as the man, dressed in a black jacket, was subdued and restrained after spraying the substance. Video footage captured someone mentioning the incident, stating, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.”
Prior to the incident, Omar had called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, asserting that ICE could not be reformed. Minneapolis police reported that a man used a syringe to release an unknown liquid at Omar, leading to his immediate arrest and booking on a charge of third-degree assault. Omar continued the town hall for about 25 minutes after the man was removed, emphasizing that she would not be intimidated.
The substance emitted a strong vinegar-like odor when the man injected it, as observed by an Associated Press journalist present at the scene. The device, which contained a brown liquid, fell to the ground during the scuffle. Minneapolis Councilor LaTrisha Vetaw and State Senator Bobby Joe Champion also came into contact with the substance, describing the encounter as deeply unsettling. Although feeling a bit flustered, Omar confirmed she was unharmed and would undergo a medical evaluation.
In response to the incident, Omar expressed resilience, stating, “I’m OK. I’m a survivor, so this minor disruptor won’t deter me from my work. I don’t allow bullies to succeed.” The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. President Donald Trump has frequently criticized Omar, intensifying his verbal assaults on her as he shifted his focus to Minneapolis in recent months.
Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed relief that Omar was safe, condemning political violence and calling for an end to inflammatory rhetoric by national leaders. Various officials, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, denounced the assault, emphasizing that violence and intimidation had no place in their community. They expressed support for Omar and stressed that such behavior would not be tolerated.
The attack on Omar occurred shortly after an incident in Utah where a man was arrested for reportedly assaulting Rep. Maxwell Frost and threatening deportation, highlighting a concerning trend of threats against members of Congress. Lawmakers have faced increased threats in recent years, affecting their ability to conduct public events. Amid ongoing tensions over federal immigration enforcement, Minneapolis has been grappling with the aftermath of the fatal shootings of two residents by immigration agents in the past month.
