Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid by a man during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, according to authorities. The congresswoman was not injured, and the suspect was arrested at the scene.
Law enforcement officials said the assailant, whose identity has not been released, was taken into custody and charged with third-degree assault. Authorities have not yet disclosed what substance was used in the attack.
Incident Occurred During Speech on Immigration Policy
The incident happened as Omar was addressing supporters and calling for the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Video footage broadcast by C-SPAN shows a man rushing toward the podium moments after Omar criticized ICE and demanded the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Seconds before the attack, Omar said ICE “cannot be reformed” and called for its complete abolition. As the man sprayed a dark-colored liquid toward her using what appeared to be a syringe, he could be heard shouting, “You must resign.”
Security personnel quickly subdued the attacker, drawing applause from audience members. Several people in the crowd reacted with shock, with one voice heard saying the substance “smelled terrible.”
Omar Says She Was Not Hurt
Despite concerns from supporters, Omar reassured the audience that she was unharmed and declined to leave the stage. She later returned to the podium to continue her remarks, emphasizing resilience and unity.
“People like this don’t understand that Minnesota is strong,” she told attendees, drawing cheers from the crowd. “We will not be intimidated.”
Following the event, Omar posted on X that she was safe and undeterred. She described the assailant as an agitator and thanked constituents for their support, stating she would continue her work without fear.
Leaders Across Parties Condemn the Attack
The incident was swiftly condemned by political figures from across the political spectrum. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the attack unacceptable, saying violence has no place in civic spaces.
Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina also denounced the incident, stating that while political disagreements are inevitable, physical attacks against elected officials are never justified.
Background of Political Tensions
Omar, a Somali American and former refugee, has frequently been a target of criticism from conservative figures due to her outspoken views on immigration, foreign policy, and ICE enforcement operations. She has strongly opposed Operation Metro Surge, a recent ICE crackdown in Minneapolis.
Tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement have escalated in recent weeks, following deadly encounters between residents and federal agents in the city.
Omar has also been a frequent target of former President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized her and threatened investigations into her finances.
Historic Political Figure
First elected to Congress in 2018, Omar made history as one of the first two Muslim women to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was re-elected for a third term in 2024 and represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
She currently serves as deputy chair of the House Progressive Caucus, which advocates for policies including immigration reform, universal healthcare, and expanded access to higher education.