MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (THECOUNT) — Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid during a town hall event Tuesday evening after a man rushed toward her while she was speaking critically about federal immigration enforcement. The suspect was immediately taken into custody by security and Minneapolis police.
The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed the man was arrested at the scene and later booked into the Hennepin County Jail on a charge of third-degree assault.
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The incident occurred as Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, was calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanding the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Police said the suspect, who had been seated in the front row, rushed toward Omar and sprayed her with a substance using what officers described as a syringe.
Security personnel quickly restrained the suspect and escorted him from the room in handcuffs. Event staff encouraged Omar to leave the venue to be medically evaluated, but she declined.
“We will continue,” Omar said from the stage. “These f***ing a**holes are not going to get away with it!”
Witnesses told reporters the substance emitted a strong odor, prompting some attendees to urge Omar to seek medical attention. Despite those concerns, Omar remained on stage and continued taking questions from the audience for nearly 30 minutes.
Minneapolis police said the situation was quickly contained and emphasized there was no ongoing threat to the public. Law enforcement officials credited the rapid response by security and officers for preventing the incident from escalating further.
The confrontation comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following recent protests tied to federal immigration enforcement operations. Demonstrations intensified after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by two Customs and Border Protection agents over the weekend. That incident remains under investigation by federal authorities.
Thousands of federal immigration agents have been deployed to the Twin Cities area in recent weeks as part of enforcement efforts under the Trump administration. Federal officials have defended the operations as lawful and necessary for public safety, while local politicians including Omar have publicly criticized the presence of federal agents.
Omar is the second Democratic member of Congress to report a physical confrontation in recent days. Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida said he was assaulted during an unrelated event in Utah over the weekend. Police in Park City said a suspect unlawfully entered a private gathering and assaulted Frost and another individual before being arrested on assault and burglary charges.
The U.S. Capitol Police have reported a continued rise in threats against members of Congress, noting thousands of investigations involving lawmakers, their families, and staff in recent years. Law enforcement officials say the trend highlights the growing risks faced by elected officials and underscores the need for strong security measures.
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