President Donald Trump launched a series of attacks against Rep. Ilhan Omar just hours before she was assaulted during a public town hall in Minnesota, an incident that has drawn renewed scrutiny to the role of political rhetoric in fueling real world violence against elected officials.
The assault occurred Tuesday evening as Omar was speaking at a town hall focused on the Trump administration’s militarized raid of Minnesota. As she addressed the crowd, a man suddenly lunged toward her and sprayed her with an unknown substance from a syringe while shouting “you must resign.” Video of the incident circulated widely online.
Despite the attack, Omar remained on stage and continued the town hall. Minneapolis police arrested the suspect, later identifying him as Anthony James Kazmierczak. Her office issued a statement after the incident saying she is “okay.”
Police reportedly sent a forensics squad to analyze the scene. Early reports indicated the liquid sprayed at Omar had a strong foul smell resembling vinegar. Kazmierczak was taken into custody and charged with third degree assault.
Hours before the attack, Trump had singled out Omar during a campaign rally in Clive, Iowa, where he again tied immigration to violence and accused Omar of disloyalty. Speaking to the crowd, Trump said immigrants must “show that they can love our country, they have to be proud. Not like Ilhan Omar.” The remark was met with boos from the audience.
Trump then mocked Omar, imitating her voice and saying, “Did you see that wise guy? You know, she’s always talking about, ‘the Constitution provides me with the following.’” He followed with racist remarks about Somalia and Somali people, continuing a pattern of dehumanizing language he has used repeatedly in recent months.
“They’re good at one thing: pirates. But they don’t do that anymore. You know why? Because they get the same treatment from us as the drug dealers get: Boom, boom, boom,” Trump said, referring to his administration’s illegal boat strike campaign. “When we see them going in, ping, that’s the end of that.”
The rally remarks came amid a sustained escalation of attacks against Omar. Trump has repeatedly suggested she should be removed from the country, promoted false conspiracy theories about her citizenship, and publicly announced that his administration is investigating her. Omar has described Trump’s fixation on her as a “creepy obsession” and has warned that it is meant to stoke violence.
Other Republican lawmakers have joined in the attacks. Rep. Randy Fine previously referred to Omar as a “Muslim terrorist,” while Rep. Nancy Mace has also publicly criticized her. The rhetoric has coincided with heightened federal enforcement actions in Minnesota, which Omar has vocally opposed. She has been a leading critic of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and has supported calls to abolish the agency.
During the assault, video footage showed aides urging Omar to leave the stage so she could be evaluated. She refused and told the crowd, “We will continue. These fucking assholes are not going to get away with this.”
After returning to the podium, Omar addressed the audience again, saying, “Here’s the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand. We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us.”
In a later social media statement, Omar said, “I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.”
Trump responded dismissively when asked about the assault. During an exchange with ABC News reporter Rachel Scott, Trump said, “I think she’s a fraud. I really don’t think about that. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.” He acknowledged that he had not watched video of the incident and added, “I hope I don’t have to bother” watching it.
Fine continued attacking Omar after the assault. Appearing on Newsmax the following morning, he said, “I blame Ilhan Omar for what happened.”
Democratic lawmakers condemned the attack and pointed to Trump’s rhetoric as a contributing factor. Rep. Rashida Tlaib said, “My sis is a survivor. She fled war at 8 yrs old. What these people don’t understand is that this country belongs to all of us. I pray one day Ilhan won’t have to put her fists up to defend herself. Her lived experience is why she won’t let them win. We are blessed to have her in Congress.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez said, “It is not a coincidence that after days of President Trump and VP Vance putting Rep. Omar in their crosshairs with slanderous public attacks, she gets assaulted at her town hall. Thank God she is okay. If they want leaders to take down the temp, they need to look in the mirror.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett also condemned the attack, writing, “Let’s be clear: nonstop hate and dangerous rhetoric from Trump and his allies has fueled this type of violence. I stand with Rep. Omar. I stand with Minnesota. This must stop.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a statement calling for an end to inflammatory political language, saying that “the cruel, inflammatory, dehumanizing rhetoric by our nation’s leaders needs to stop immediately.”
The assault on Omar came just days after Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost was attacked by a man who cited Trump during the incident. Frost said the assailant told him, “We are going to deport you and your kind.”
The investigation into the attack on Omar remains ongoing. Trump and his allies have continued to attack the Minnesota lawmaker even after the assault, while Democratic officials have warned that sustained political dehumanization carries real consequences.
COMMENTS