- - Video shows man spray Rep. Ilhan Omar with unknown substance

Amaris Encinas, USA TODAYJanuary 29, 2026 at 1:41 AM

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In the midst of delivering remarks at a town hall on Jan. 27, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance.

Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, was calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, or face impeachment, when she was rushed onstage by a man who doused her torso with liquid.

In the seconds before the substance made contact, the man appeared to say something to Omar, however, the comment he made as well as what he sprayed was unclear. Trevor Folke, Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson, told USA TODAY that Omar was not hurt.

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Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, was arrested after the incident. The Minneapolis Police Department alleged Kazmierczak used a "syringe to spray an unknown liquid" onto Omar. Kazmierczak was taken to the Hennepin County Jail on assault charges.

What happened next?

1 / 10See moment Ilhan Omar sprayed with substance by man at town hallA man is tackled after spraying an unknown substance at US Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) (L) during a town hall she was hosting in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 27, 2026.

Omar, seemingly unfazed by the transgression, continued the meeting despite clamors from attendees to stop and get help. Especially, since the substance "smelled terrible."

"Please don't let them have the show,” said Omar, asking for a napkin. "We will continue… They are not going to get away with this."

Omar called for Noem to be held accountable as members of a security detail led the man out of the room. Omar later put out a statement, saying that "this small agitator" wasn't going to intimidate her from doing her job.

State officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minnesota, extended messages of support to the House member.

Contributing: Michael Loria and James Powel, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video captures man spraying Ilhan Omar in town hall attack

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