'Don’t let bullies win': Ilhan Omar’s stern response after being attacked at Minneapolis town hall

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Tuesday hit back after a man attempted to spray her with an unknown substance during a packed town hall meeting in Minneapolis, vowing to continue speaking out against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

The Somali-born Minnesota Democrat was addressing constituents when a man rushed toward the stage and attempted to spray her with an unknown substance using a syringe and briefly disrupted the event. Omar was not injured and returned to the microphone moments later, urging the crowd not to give the assailant attention.




Reacting to the incident, Omar wrote on X, “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.”

“Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong,” she added.

The incident unfolded shortly after Omar called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished and demanded the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the administration’s immigration crackdown.

Security personnel quickly subdued the suspect as attendees shouted in alarm, with one witness heard saying the substance emitted a foul odor. Despite calls from local leaders to leave the room and seek medical attention, Omar refused.

“We’re going to keep talking,” she said. “Please don’t let them have a show.”

Man arrested

The suspect has been identified as Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, according to the Hennepin County Jail roster. Authorities said Kazmierczak walked down the center aisle toward the podium and appeared to shout “you must resign” before attempting to spray Omar.

He was tackled by a security guard and taken into custody by Minneapolis police. Kazmierczak was arrested on suspicion of assault but has not yet been formally charged.

Omar’s office later confirmed that she was unharmed, saying in a statement that she “doesn’t let bullies win.” The US Capitol Police said the suspect would face “the most serious charges possible,” noting a sharp rise in threats against lawmakers in 2025.

Laura Loomer reacts

Far-right activist Laura Loomer dismissed the incident as fabricated, claiming without evidence that the attack was staged.

“This is the most staged thing I have ever seen in my life,” Loomer wrote on X, calling Omar a “known fraudster” and demanding an investigation into her personal finances.

In a separate post, Loomer alleged the town hall involved a “crisis actor,” referring to Omar as the “Somali Jussie Smollett,” a claim rejected by Omar’s office and law enforcement.

What’s happening in Minnesota

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Minnesota following the Trump administration’s expanded deployment of federal immigration agents.

The state has seen hundreds of detentions and two fatal shootings involving ICE agents this year. On January 7, Renee Good, a mother of three, was killed in her vehicle. On January 24, ICU nurse Alex Pretti died during a street confrontation with immigration officials.

The deaths have sparked nationwide protests and renewed scrutiny of ICE, which has recorded 32 deaths in custody in 2025, its deadliest year in two decades, alongside allegations of racial profiling and detentions without due process.