At a town hall meeting Tuesday evening in Minneapolis, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota, was the target of a physical disruption when a man rushed the stage and sprayed her with an unknown liquid, according to multiple reports.
The incident took place as Omar was addressing constituents — with remarks that included calls to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign — a backdrop to escalating national debate over federal immigration enforcement.
Video from the event shows a man surging toward the podium, spraying a substance from what appeared to be a syringe in Omar’s direction. Security personnel and bystanders immediately intervened, tackling the assailant and restraining him on the ground amid audible reactions from the audience.
Minneapolis Police confirmed that the man was taken into custody and later arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault. Officials have not publicly identified the substance used or released details on whether charges beyond assault will be pursued. Forensic investigators were called to the scene to process evidence.
Witnesses noted the liquid had a strong odor, though its composition remains unknown. Despite calls from some in attendance urging her to step back or seek medical attention, Omar chose to continue her town hall remarks after the disruption.
In a press release, Omar’s office described the attacker as an “agitator” who attempted to harm the congresswoman, emphasizing that she was unharmed and refused to let the incident derail the event.
The episode occurred amid heightened political tensions in the region. Just earlier in the day, former President Donald Trump criticized Omar during a speech, continuing his longstanding verbal attacks against her.
Reactions to the incident have crossed party lines, with political figures condemning any form of violence against elected officials. Many leaders stressed the importance of maintaining civil discourse in public forums, even amid deep disagreements.
This event follows other recent attacks on lawmakers and public officials, reflecting growing concerns about security at political gatherings and the potential for increasingly volatile confrontations in today’s polarized climate.
