'I don't let bullies win': US congresswoman Omar defiant after substance thrown at her

January 28, 2026

During a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked when an attendee sprayed her with an unidentified liquid from a syringe that smelled like a chemical product. The assailant, 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, was immediately arrested and charged with third-degree assault, while Omar was unharmed and chose to continue the event despite official concerns. The attack occurred after Omar called for the abolition of ICE and demanded that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem resign over recent fatal shootings of US citizens by immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Who is affected

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (attacked but uninjured)
Anthony James Kazmierczak (arrested and charged with third-degree assault)
Approximately 100 attendees at the town hall event
Somali immigrant community in Minnesota
Renee Good and Alex Pretti (US citizens fatally shot by immigration enforcement)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem (facing calls for resignation)
Minneapolis residents and Minnesota's Democratic officials

What action is being taken

Anthony James Kazmierczak is being held in custody after being charged with third-degree assault
Forensics are being conducted at the scene
Authorities are working to identify the unknown liquid substance
President Trump's administration is conducting an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis
ICE is carrying out immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota

Why it matters

This incident underscores the increasingly volatile political climate surrounding immigration enforcement and the personal safety risks faced by elected officials who criticize government policies. The attack on a sitting congresswoman during a public forum represents a direct threat to democratic discourse and constituent engagement. The broader context—fatal shootings of US citizens by immigration enforcement, escalating rhetoric between federal and state officials, and targeted attacks against a prominent Muslim congresswoman—reflects deepening divisions over immigration policy and raises concerns about political violence becoming normalized in American politics.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC