On January 27, 2026, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) was hosting a town hall meeting in north Minneapolis focused on recent federal immigration enforcement operations by ICE. As Omar addressed the crowd about the surge of agents in Minnesota, a 55-year-old man identified as Anthony James Kazmierczak approached the podium and sprayed her with an unknown liquid from a syringe. The substance reportedly had an unpleasant odor, but Omar was uninjured and quickly resumed her speech after the attacker was tackled to the ground by attendees and security.
Video footage of the event shows the man in a black jacket charging toward Omar, deploying the spray, and then being subdued as the audience cheered. Omar, undeterred, declared, “I survived the war, and I will survive this… I don’t let bullies win.” Minneapolis police arrested Kazmierczak on charges of third-degree assault, and forensic scientists processed the scene to identify the liquid. The congresswoman, a Somali-American refugee and vocal critic of immigration policies, later emphasized her resilience in the face of threats.
However, the incident has sparked widespread skepticism online and from political figures, with many questioning whether it was staged for sympathy or political gain. Critics point to details in the video, such as Omar allegedly nodding toward the man moments before the spray and appearing to move toward him rather than away, suggesting coordination. Others note her security team’s delayed response and her quick recovery without evident fear, including a perceived smile as she confronted the attacker. Prominent voices, including President Donald Trump, have fueled these claims, with Trump suggesting without evidence that Omar “staged it herself” and calling her a “fraud.” Right-wing activist Laura Loomer described it as “the most staged thing she’s ever seen,” echoing theories of it being a “crisis actor” stunt.
Social media has amplified the doubts, with users comparing it to past hoaxes and labeling it a distraction from investigations into Omar’s activities. Defenders, however, argue there’s zero evidence of staging, dismissing the speculation as baseless conspiracy. As the liquid’s composition is analyzed, the event underscores the polarized reactions to Omar, a frequent target of controversy. Whether genuine assault or orchestrated drama, it highlights the tense political climate surrounding immigration debates in Minnesota.
SOURCES:
Ilhan Omar sprayed with substance during town hall attack
Rep. Ilhan Omar sprayed by syringe, man tackled during townhall event on ICE operations | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
Man arrested after spraying unknown liquid from a syringe on Rep. Ilhan Omar during town hall | kare11.com
Ilhan Omar charged at during Minneapolis town hall
‘I don’t let bullies win,’ says US congresswoman Omar after substance thrown at her
