Man Faces Federal Assault Charge for Spraying Vinegar on Rep. Ilhan Omar
A Minnesota man faces federal assault charges after an incident involving Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a town hall meeting. The event took place on Tuesday night in Minneapolis, where the man, identified as Anthony Kazmierczak, allegedly sprayed Omar with a liquid. Fortunately, she did not suffer any injuries.
Details of the Incident
During the town hall, Rep. Omar was advocating for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and calling for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Kazmierczak, who was part of the audience, approached her and sprayed her with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Incident Date: Tuesday night
- Assailant: Anthony Kazmierczak, 55 years old
The liquid he used caused stains on Omar’s clothing and may have affected her eye. A field test confirmed the substance was vinegar mixed with water, which has been sent for further laboratory analysis.
Response and Reactions
Body camera footage captured Kazmierczak declaring, “I squirted vinegar,” as he was detained. Further investigation revealed troubling past statements by Kazmierczak. An associate disclosed that he previously expressed harmful thoughts towards Omar, saying, “Somebody should kill that b.”
Despite the incident, Omar remained resilient. In a follow-up interview, she expressed that she felt “really OK” and asserted, “They picked the wrong person. I am not one to be intimidated.” Following the event, Omar continued engaging with attendees for nearly 30 minutes.
Context of Increasing Threats
This troubling incident is part of a broader trend. U.S. Capitol Police have reported a significant rise in threats against members of Congress. Notably, there was a 58% increase in such investigations from 2024 to 2025.
The assault charge against Kazmierczak highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of public officials and escalated political tensions across the country.
