Federal Charges Filed in Assault on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis Event
The Department of Justice has formally charged a man with federal assault after an incident at a town hall event in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar was targeted. The attack occurred on 27 January 2026, when a 55-year-old individual, identified as Anthony James Kazmierczak, allegedly charged at the lawmaker and sprayed her with a liquid substance from a syringe.
Details of the Assault and Legal Proceedings
According to newly filed court documents, Kazmierczak was arrested by local police and booked for third-degree assault following the altercation. The justice department has since charged him with a single count, accusing him of forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with Omar. This federal crime carries a potential penalty of up to one year in prison.
An FBI special agent's affidavit reveals that forensic analysis determined the substance sprayed at Omar was a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. The liquid reportedly stained her clothing and may have reached her face and right eye. Photographs of the syringe used in the alleged assault were included in the court filings.
Context and Investigation Findings
The attack unfolded as Omar was addressing constituents from a lectern, calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Kazmierczak reportedly rushed the stage, shouting "she is not resigning. You're splitting Minnesotans apart" after spraying the congresswoman.
Investigators spoke with a close associate of Kazmierczak, who disclosed that the accused had previously stated "someone should kill" Omar. Law enforcement also uncovered a cartoon shared on Kazmierczak's public Facebook profile in 2021, criticizing Omar's stance on security spending during nationwide calls to defund the police. His social media activity showed he followed several conservative activists and commentators.
Political Reactions and Aftermath
Despite being visibly shaken, Omar decided to continue the town hall event, telling reporters afterward, "I've survived war. And I'm definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think they can throw at me, because I'm built that way." The incident has drawn bipartisan condemnation from members of Congress.
Hours before the attack, former President Donald Trump made xenophobic comments about Omar during remarks in Iowa. Omar attributed the frequent threats and harassment she faces to Trump's "hateful rhetoric." Trump later dismissed the incident, baselessly claiming Omar "had herself sprayed," and continued to criticize her at a cabinet meeting.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about political violence and security for public officials, particularly in the charged atmosphere of contemporary US politics.
