Federal charges have been filed against a Minneapolis man accused of attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall event, according to the Department of Justice. The incident happened Tuesday (January 27), when 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak allegedly approached the congresswoman and sprayed her with a liquid from a syringe as she spoke to her constituents. The Justice Department says Kazmierczak is charged with forcibly assaulting a federal official engaged in official duties.
According to the Minneapolis Police Department, officers saw the man use a syringe to spray an unknown liquid at the congresswoman before security tackled him. He was arrested and booked into Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of third-degree assault. Preliminary reports from local authorities and forensic examiners determined the substance was likely apple cider vinegar and non-toxic.
Despite the attack, Rep. Omar was uninjured and continued her remarks. She told attendees, “We will continue. These f—— a——- are not going to get away with it.” Omar later posted on X, stating, “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.”
The FBI quickly took over the investigation, and the U.S. Capitol Police said the assault was “an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice.” The event comes as threats against members of Congress have risen for the third straight year, with more than 14,000 incidents investigated last year.
Kazmierczak, who has a prior criminal record, hinted at his intentions before the town hall, texting a neighbor he might get arrested while attending the event. The attack occurred shortly after Rep. Omar called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
President Donald Trump, who has a history of attacking Omar with harsh rhetoric, dismissed the seriousness of the incident in a phone interview, accusing Omar without evidence of staging the attack.
Hennepin County prosecutors and federal authorities are both reviewing charges. The case remains under investigation, and Kazmierczak is expected to face prosecution in federal court.
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