Representative Ilhan Omar was assaulted during a Minnesota town hall when a 55-year-old man sprayed her with apple cider vinegar using a syringe-like device before being tackled by security.

Details of the Attack

The incident occurred shortly after Omar called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Anthony J. Kazimerczak charged at the Congresswoman and sprayed her with a strong-smelling liquid substance. Security personnel immediately subdued the attacker, who now faces third-degree assault charges. Capitol Police are considering federal charges for assaulting a member of Congress. Omar remained uninjured and continued speaking after the brief interruption.

So…

The cameras were stuck on the sloppy guy that just happened to be sitting in the front row aisle seat before Ilhan Omar went on.

Totally not staged!pic.twitter.com/QT0Y7pGTol

— C3 (@C_3C_3) January 28, 2026

Omar addressed the crowd directly after the attack, stating her determination to continue her work. She told attendees they were “Minnesota strong” and would remain resilient despite such incidents. Her office later confirmed preliminary reports identifying the substance as apple cider vinegar. The congresswoman posted on social media that she was uninjured and would not be intimidated by the assault.

Political Context and Response

The attack follows recent criticism of Omar from President Trump, who made disparaging comments about the Somalia-born representative at an Iowa rally hours before the incident. When asked about the assault, Trump suggested without evidence that Omar orchestrated the attack herself, despite the arrest and criminal charges filed against Kazimerczak. Capitol Police emphasized their commitment to pursuing the most serious possible charges to deter political violence.

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? I wish I lived in Minnesota just so I could vote for her.

— Karly Kingsley (@karlykingsley) January 28, 2026

Rising Congressional Threats

This incident highlights growing security concerns for elected officials. Capitol Police investigated 14,938 threatening communications directed at Congress members in 2025, representing a significant increase from 9,474 cases in 2024. The agency’s report noted that members from both parties receive various threats through mail, email, phone calls, and social media platforms. Officials emphasized that reducing violent political rhetoric remains crucial for decreasing threats nationwide and protecting democratic institutions.