US congresswoman assaulted as assailant sprays unknown substance

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was assaulted by a member of the public during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 27.

The assailant charged the podium and sprayed an unknown substance at the Democratic lawmaker before security personnel subdued them, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

The incident took place while Representative Omar was speaking to constituents about immigration policy and urging Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign. 

Security personnel quickly restrained the male assailant, who was removed from the venue and taken into police custody.

Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, has been charged with third-degree assault and remains in custody, the local sheriff’s office reported.

Although visibly shaken and urged by those around her to seek medical attention, Omar insisted on continuing.

She later confirmed on the social media platform X: "I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work."

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.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 28, 2026

Omar, a Democrat who made history in 2019 as the first Somali-American elected to the US Congress, is a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.

She has recently criticised the president’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota, where two US citizens were killed by federal agents during the enforcement operation.

On January 27, in response to the second fatal shooting of a US citizen during the Minnesota immigration enforcement operation, Trump said his administration was “going to de‑escalate a little bit” amid mounting criticism over federal tactics.

During her speaking event, Omar called for the dismantling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency at the centre of the operation that has faced intense criticism for its tactics.

Trump has repeatedly clashed with Minnesota’s Democratic leaders, often singling out Omar for personal attacks and harsh criticism in his public remarks and social media posts.

By Jeyhun Aghazada