US Rep. Ilhan Omar ‘attacked’ at Minneapolis town hall, sprayed with unknown substance | VIDEO
US Representative Ilhan Abdullahi Omar was confronted by an assailant during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, an incident that has circulated widely after video showed a man rushing the stage and spraying an unidentified substance at her before being restrained. Authorities have not yet disclosed what the substance was or whether charges will be filed.
Omar, who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, was not reported injured, according to Reuters. Despite pleas from attendees to end the meeting, she continued speaking, saying she would not be intimidated.
The confrontation unfolded amid heightened political tensions in Minnesota following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good during an operation by federal agents deployed under President Donald Trump’s administration. Omar has been a vocal critic of the administration, while Trump has escalated attacks on her in recent months.
Incident at the town hall
The disturbance occurred shortly after Omar criticised the Department of Homeland Security and called for the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the agency’s handling of the Pretti case. She also reiterated her stance that “ICE cannot be reformed,” and demanded its abolishment.
A man wearing a black jacket rushed toward Omar and sprayed her with an unknown substance. Video footage shows security personnel quickly tackling him to the floor, tying his hands behind his back and escorting him out as some audience members cheered. One attendee can be heard exclaiming, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.”
Audience members immediately gathered around Omar, asking what she had been sprayed with. The congresswoman said she did not know, requesting napkins to wipe it off.
Minneapolis police did not respond to requests for comment about the man’s identity or whether he was arrested.
The White House did not issue an immediate response to the incident.
Political tensions and prior criticism
The episode comes as Trump has intensified his rhetoric against Omar. In December, during a Cabinet meeting, he called her “garbage” and said “her friends are garbage.” Hours before the town hall, speaking to supporters in Iowa, he declared that only immigrants who “can show that they love our country” would be admitted under his administration, adding: “They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar.” He went on to say: “She comes from a country that’s a disaster. So probably, it’s considered, I think – it’s not even a country.”
Reaction from lawmakers
Condemnation followed swiftly from across the political spectrum. Republican Representative Nancy Mace wrote on X: “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.”
The incident occurred just days after another lawmaker, Democrat Maxwell Frost of Florida, was reportedly punched at the Sundance Film Festival, where the alleged attacker claimed Trump would deport him.
(With inputs from AP)