The United States Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota was attacked at a public town hall in Minneapolis, sprayed with an unknown liquid by a man who stormed the stage as she denounced U.S. immigration enforcement and demanded the resignation of the homeland security secretary.
The incident unfolded Tuesday in front of a stunned audience as Omar was delivering a fiery speech calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Moments later, a man rushed the podium and sprayed Omar with a dark-colored liquid from a syringe before being tackled by security.
Authorities said Omar was not injured, and the suspect whose name has not been released was arrested and charged with third-degree assault, according to Reuters.
However, officials declined to say what substance was used in the attack.
Video footage aired by C-SPAN shows the attacker lunging toward Omar as she issued her final words before the assault.
“ICE cannot be reformed. It cannot be rehabilitated; we must abolish ICE for good. And DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment,” Omar said seconds before the man struck.
As he sprayed the liquid, the attacker could be heard shouting, “You must resign.”
Security officers swiftly slammed the assailant to the ground as shocked audience members erupted in gasps and cheers. One voice in the crowd cried out, “Oh my God, he sprayed something on her,” as chaos rippled through the room.
Despite witnesses warning that the substance smelled “terrible” and urging medical attention, Omar told supporters she was “good” and remained at the venue.
The attack adds to growing concerns over political violence and intimidation targeting U.S. lawmakers, particularly during public events.
Omar, first elected to Congress in 2018, made history as one of the first two Muslim women to serve in the House of Representatives.
She won re-election for a third term in 2024, representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis and nearby communities.
She currently serves as deputy chair of the House Progressive Caucus, a bloc of roughly 100 lawmakers advocating sweeping reforms including immigration overhaul, universal healthcare, and debt-free public college education.