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Minneapolis, MN – A town hall meeting held by Democratic U.S. Rep.
Ilhan Omar took an unexpected and unsettling turn this week when a man allegedly squirted an unknown substance on her. The individual in question, Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, has a documented criminal history and has publicly expressed support for former President Donald Trump.
Kazmierczak, whose past includes a felony auto theft conviction in 1989, multiple DUI arrests, and numerous traffic citations, also appears to have faced significant financial difficulties, including two bankruptcy filings, according to Minnesota court records.
Police state that Kazmierczak used a syringe to spray a liquid on Rep. Omar during Tuesday’s event.
This incident occurred after Omar advocated for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and called for the firing or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in the wake of the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Officers swiftly intervened, tackling and arresting Kazmierczak, who is currently jailed on a preliminary third-degree assault charge, as confirmed by police spokesperson Trevor Folke.
Photos of the syringe, which was recovered after Kazmierczak was tackled, show what appears to be a light-brown liquid inside. The substance’s identity has not yet been publicly confirmed by authorities.
An Associated Press journalist present at the event reported a strong, vinegarlike odor in the room following the attack. While forensic scientists were called to the scene, none of the approximately 100 attendees exhibited any noticeable physical reactions to the substance.
Despite the disruption, Rep. Omar continued her remarks for about 25 minutes after Kazmierczak was removed, asserting that she would not be intimidated.
As she departed the venue, she indicated feeling “a little flustered” but confirmed she was unharmed and would undergo a medical screening. Later, she posted on X, stating, “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.”
A History of Support for Trump and Critical Views
As of Wednesday morning, Kazmierczak had not been formally charged or scheduled for an initial court appearance. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has until Thursday to file charges, though an extension could be sought.
A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It remains unclear if Kazmierczak has legal representation, with the county’s chief public defender, Michael Berger, confirming that the case has not yet been assigned to his office.
A neighbor reportedly told the New York Post that Kazmierczak had expressed intentions to attend Omar’s town hall, adding, “I might get arrested.”
In his social media presence, Kazmierczak identified himself as a former network engineer residing in Minneapolis. His posts included criticisms of former President Joe Biden and characterizations of Democrats as “angry and liars.”
He expressed sentiments that Trump, a Republican, “wants the US is stronger and more prosperous,” advocating to “Stop other countries from stealing from us. Bring back the fear that enemies back away from and gain respect that If anyone threatens ourselves or friends we will (expletive) them up.”
Another post by Kazmierczak questioned, “When will descendants of slaves pay restitution to Union soldiers families for freeing them/dying for them, and not sending them back to Africa?” Following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September, Kazmierczak temporarily changed his Facebook profile picture to an AP photograph of Trump embracing Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk.
Omar: A Frequent Target of Presidential Scrutiny
Rep. Omar, a progressive lawmaker, has consistently been a target of criticism from former President Trump since her election to Congress in 2019.
That year, Trump famously urged Omar and three other freshmen congresswomen of color, collectively known as “the squad,” to “go back” to their home countries if they intended to criticize the U.S. Notably, Omar was the only one of the four who was born outside the U.S., having immigrated as a child with her family, who fled violence in Somalia.
Trump intensified his criticism of Omar in recent months, focusing on the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, home to a significant Somali-American population.
In a December Cabinet meeting, he referred to her as “garbage.” He has also linked immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities to a series of fraud cases involving government programs, with many defendants having roots in East Africa.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. However, when questioned about the attack Tuesday night by ABC News, Trump stated he had not seen the footage and accused Omar of orchestrating the incident.
“She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her,” Trump remarked. Earlier on Tuesday, while speaking to a crowd in Iowa, the president criticized Omar, asserting his administration would only admit immigrants who “can show that they love our country.”
“They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar,” he said, which was met with boos at the mention of her name. He further added, “She comes from a country that’s a disaster.
So probably, it’s considered, I think – it’s not even a country.”
Rising Threats Against Lawmakers
This incident comes just days after another attack on a U.S. Representative.
In Utah, a man was arrested for allegedly punching U.S. Rep.
Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, in the face at a bar during the Sundance Film Festival. According to a probable cause affidavit, Christian Joel Young, 28, reportedly stated, “we are going to deport your kind,” before striking the congressman.
Young also allegedly made a similar comment to a woman and pushed her. He was charged Tuesday in state court with two counts of misdemeanor assault and felony burglary for illegally entering the bar.
A judge ordered him held without bail, and Young’s attorney declined to comment.
Threats against members of Congress have seen a marked increase in recent years, reaching a peak in 2021 following the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
While there was a slight dip, figures from the U.S. Capitol Police indicate a subsequent rise.
Following Tuesday’s attack on Rep. Omar, the U.S. Capitol Police released a statement affirming that the agency is “working with our federal partners to see this man faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society.”
The escalating climate of political threats has become a growing concern for lawmakers, impacting their ability to conduct town halls and public events. Some have even cited this hostile environment as a factor in their decisions not to seek re-election.