A man was arrested after he sprayed Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar with an unknown substance at a town hall in Minnesota on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
The incident happened in Minneapolis, about 25 minutes after Omar began her speech calling for the abolishment of ICE and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.
“ICE cannot be reformed,” Omar said, seconds before the man sitting in the front row rushed forward and sprayed a foul-smelling substance from a syringe.
Omar took several steps toward the man as he was tackled to the floor by security.
The watery substance also landed on Minneapolis Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw and state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion.
The substance had a strong odor like vinegar, according to an Associated Press reporter who was there.
Minneapolis police arrested the man, later identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak.
Social media users believe the incident was “staged.”
Omar continued speaking for about 25 more minutes, saying she would not be intimidated. The Congresswoman later said she is OK and “a survivor.”
Some social media users say the incident was “staged” or “fake news.” Omar trended on X (Twitter) late Tuesday under the hashtag #Fakenews.
“Something about this doesn’t add up,” said conservative comedian Terrence J. Williams in a video uploaded to X on Tuesday.
“If someone randomly sprayed me with a substance, I’d be running to the nearest bathroom to wash my eyes and skin — or straight to the hospital,” he added.
Omar is a U.S. citizen who fled Somalia with her family at age 8 to escape a civil war.
Omar’s husband, Tim Mynett, owns a winery called eStCru that exploded in value from $1,000 to over $5 million in just one year.
President Trump questioned Omar’s net worth after she disclosed her husband’s companies in a financial report, filed in May 2025.
The winery’s existence conflicts with Omar’s Islamic beliefs, since the production and sale of alcohol is prohibited in Islam.
I am deeply disturbed to learn that Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall today. Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric – and I do – no elected official should face physical attacks. This is not who we are.pic.twitter.com/2kNUqcnAb8
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 28, 2026
This footage of the Ilhan Omar incident looks suspect.
She runs at a could-be assassin like she’s going to disarm him, returns to finish her speech covered in a potentially deadly substance.
Trump announced yesterday that her finances are being looked at.pic.twitter.com/ucp9bxjSGe
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) January 28, 2026
