Minneapolis, USA: Police arrested a man on Tuesday who sprayed Democratic US Representative Ilhan Omar with a foul-smelling liquid during a town hall event in Minneapolis. Omar was speaking out against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Minnesota when the incident occurred.
According to eyewitnesses and video footage, a security guard immediately restrained the suspect and brought him to the ground. Authorities confirmed the arrest was made on charges of third-degree assault.
Omar, who has frequently faced political attacks from President Donald Trump, was unharmed. The liquid, described by police as coming from a syringe, reportedly had an ammonia-like odor, causing only minor throat irritation.
During her remarks, Omar criticized ICE and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, calling for Noem’s resignation following the recent deaths of two US citizens during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. She said:
“ICE cannot be reformed, it cannot be rehabilitated. We must abolish ICE, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment.”
Moments later, a man approached Omar from the front row, sprayed the substance, and reportedly told her, “You must resign.” Omar stood her ground, advancing a few steps toward the man before he was subdued. She resumed her speech shortly after, declining urgent suggestions to seek medical attention, saying she only needed a napkin. Her office later confirmed that she was safe and unharmed.
Forensic teams collected evidence at the scene, while Minneapolis police continued their investigation.
Reflecting on the incident, Omar told the audience:
“I learned at a young age, you don’t give in to threats. You look them in the face and you stand strong.”
The attack comes amid repeated public attacks on Omar by Donald Trump, who has targeted her Somali heritage and political positions.
Omar, 43, immigrated to the United States at age 12 and became a US citizen in 2000. The incident highlights growing security concerns in the US Congress, with US Capitol Police reporting a nearly 58% rise in threat assessment cases in 2025, the third consecutive year of increases. Last year, 14,938 threats targeting members of Congress, their families, and staff were investigated, up from 9,474 in 2024.