The man accused of spraying Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) with an apple cider vinegar during a town hall in her district Tuesday had a lengthy criminal history and appeared to show support for President Trump on social media.
Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, was tackled to the ground after police said he used a syringe to spray an unknown liquid, which had not yet been identified, onto Omar. He was arrested and booked into the Hennepin County Jail on a third-degree assault charge.
Criminal background
Minnesota court records indicated that Kazmierczak was arrested multiple times over the past three decades, dating back to a felony conviction for motor vehicle theft in 1989. He was also charged with driving under the influence on several occasions and other misdemeanor traffic violations, according to the Hills citing records.
A livestream of Tuesday’s incident showed Kazmierczak standing and yelling at Omar, who was standing at a podium a few feet away, calling for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
Omar continued with the town hall after Kazmierczak was taken from the room, saying Minnesotans would “stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us.”
She later wrote on the social platform X that she was OK and would not be intimidated.
“I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from my doing work. I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong,” Omar wrote.
"Might get arrested": Sends cryptic note to neighbour
An alleged neighbour of Kazmierczak told the New York Post that the man had hinted he “might get arrested” at the event in a text asking if the neighbour could watch his dog while he went to see Omar speak.
The neighbour also told the Post that his neighbour had been “heavily medicated” due to a spine injury suffered during a car wreck years ago, and that Kazmierczak had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Pro-Trump
A review of Kazmierczak’s social media demonstrated support for conservative causes and Trump, including changing his profile picture in late September to a photo of the president hugging Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk.
The Associated Press reported that Kazmierczak referred to Democrats as “angry and liars” in social media posts and made critical comments about former President Biden.
“Trump wants the US is stronger and more prosperous,” Kazmierczak reportedly wrote in one post. “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.”
Several Republican lawmakers quickly condemned the incident, with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) calling it “completely unacceptable,” and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) saying she was “disturbed” by the attack.
“Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric – and I do – no elected official should face physical attacks,” Mace wrote on X.
Trump, who repeatedly used xenophobic rhetoric against Omar, struck a different tone Wednesday, suggesting, without evidence, that the incident was staged.
“I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud,” Trump told ABC News. “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
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