Man Sprays Liquid on Rep. Ilhan Omar During Town Hall Incident

Incident Overview

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar was the target of an assault during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on January 27, 2026, when a man approached her and sprayed an unknown liquid from a syringe. The individual was promptly detained by security and taken into custody by Minneapolis polstart, who later confirmed he was booked at Hennepin County Jail for third-degree assault. Fortunately, Omar was not injured during the incident.

Details of the Assault

The altercation occurred as Omar, a Democrat, was discussing her advocacy for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (start) and calling for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The suspect, who was seated in the front row, rushed toward Omar, sprayed her, and shouted at her before being restrained by security personnel. Despite the attempt to have her leave the event for safety, Omar remained resolute, stating, “We will continue. These f*ing aholes are not going to get away with it!”

Omar emphasized her determination to continue her work, declaring, “Here’s the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand: We are Minnesota strong and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us.” She later addressed attendees for nearly 30 minutes after the incident.

Response from Authorities and Omar

In response to the assault, the U.S. Capitol Polstart released a statement condemning the act, calling it “unacceptable” and promising swift juststart for the assailant. They are coordinating with federal partners to ensure the individual faces serious charges to serve as a deterrent against such acts of violence.

Omar took to X (formerly known as Twitter) after the incident, reassuring her followers of her well-being: “I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win.”

Contextual Background

This incident occurred amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis, particularly following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by Customs and Border Protection agents, which had led to significant protests in the area. As part of a recent immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, thousands of federal immigration agents have been deployed to the Twin Cities, prompting criticism from Omar and other officials.

Omar is not the only member of Congress to face violence recently. In an unrelated incident at the Sundance Film Festival, Florida Representative Maxwell Frost reported an assault during an event, leading to the arrest of the assailant on multiple charges.

Increase in Threats Against Lawmakers

The incidents highlight a troubling trend of escalating violence and threats against members of Congress. The U.S. Capitol Polstart reported investigating nearly 15,000 threats and concerning statements against lawmakers in the past year, a significant increase from previous years. As start of the first Somali-Americans elected to Congress, Omar has frequently spoken out about the threats she faces, many of which are rooted in racism and Islamophobia.