MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) was attacked during a town hall event she hosted in Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, when a man armed with a syringe sprayed an unknown substance at the congresswoman, prompting immediate intervention by attendees and security personnel.
The incident, captured on video and witnessed by dozens of constituents, unfolded shortly after Omar delivered sharp criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. According to Associated Press reports and eyewitness accounts, the man, seated in the front row, suddenly leaped up and targeted Omar with the syringe, releasing a liquid that emitted a strong, vinegar-like odor.
Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson Trevor Folke confirmed in an email to media outlets that officers responded swiftly to the scene at the Minneapolis Convention Center. “Officers observed a man use a syringe to spray an unknown liquid at the congresswoman,” Folke stated. The suspect was tackled to the ground by audience members and Omar's security detail within moments, as cheers erupted from the crowd in apparent relief and support for the lawmaker. He was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and booked into Hennepin County Jail. Forensic scientists were dispatched to analyze the substance, which has not yet been identified, though initial reports from journalists present described it as having a pungent, acidic smell reminiscent of vinegar.
Video footage of the attack, which has since circulated widely on social media, shows the man listening attentively to Omar's remarks before abruptly standing and approaching the stage. As he pressed the syringe, a voice from the crowd can be heard exclaiming, “Oh my God, he sprayed something on her.” Omar, appearing startled but composed, was quickly shielded by her team. Despite the disruption, she resumed the town hall after the suspect was escorted out, addressing the audience with resolve: “We will not be intimidated. Our work continues.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the event, Omar wrote: “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.” She later told reporters she felt shaken but sustained no injuries and planned to undergo medical screening as a precaution.
The attack occurred against a backdrop of heightened political tensions in Minneapolis, a city long at the center of debates over immigration enforcement, police reform, and federal overreach. Omar, a Somali-American and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress in 2018, has been a vocal critic of ICE and the Trump administration's immigration policies. During the town hall, she reiterated her stance, declaring, “ICE cannot be reformed,” and advocating for the agency's abolition or fundamental restructuring. Her comments came amid ongoing protests in the city following the fatal shooting earlier this month of a 42-year-old intensive care nurse and mother of three by federal agents during a raid related to an immigration investigation.
The shooting of the nurse, identified as Aisha Rahman, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Nigeria, has sparked widespread outrage in Minneapolis' diverse communities, including its large Somali-American population. Protesters have accused ICE of excessive force and racial profiling, with calls for Secretary Noem's resignation echoing Omar's demands. The town hall was organized in part to address these concerns, drawing a mix of supporters, critics, and community members seeking dialogue on federal immigration actions.
President Donald Trump has frequently targeted Omar in his rhetoric, intensifying attacks in recent months as he focuses on Minneapolis as a symbol of what he calls “failed liberal policies.” During a Cabinet meeting in December 2025, Trump referred to Omar as “garbage” and added that “her friends are garbage,” comments that drew condemnation from Democrats and civil rights groups for their inflammatory nature. The White House had not responded to requests for comment on the attack as of Tuesday night, according to AP.
Local authorities are investigating the motive behind the assault. The suspect, whose identity has not been released pending charges, is described as a 48-year-old white male from a suburb outside Minneapolis. Police have not confirmed whether the attack was politically motivated, but sources close to the investigation told local media that the man's social media history includes posts critical of Omar's immigration stance and supportive of stricter border enforcement. Forensic analysis of the substance is ongoing, with preliminary tests ruling out immediate hazards like acid or poison, though full toxicology results are expected within 48 hours.
Security experts and political analysts have expressed concern over the incident, viewing it as part of a broader pattern of threats against elected officials, particularly women of color and Muslim Americans. Omar has faced repeated death threats since entering Congress, including a 2019 incident where a man was arrested for plotting to assassinate her. The U.S. Capitol Police and FBI have been involved in protecting “The Squad” members, including Omar, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and others, amid rising political violence.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the attack in a statement, calling it “unacceptable and cowardly.” “Rep. Omar is a dedicated public servant who has fought tirelessly for our city and our values. This act of violence has no place in our democracy,” Frey said. Community leaders from the Somali-American community, which numbers over 80,000 in Minnesota, rallied in support of Omar, organizing a vigil outside the convention center later that evening.
The event has reignited national discussions on political polarization, the safety of public figures, and the impact of inflammatory rhetoric from leaders like Trump. Advocacy groups such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called for a federal investigation into potential hate crime charges, citing the attack's timing amid Omar's criticism of ICE.
As Omar continues her work in Congress, representing Minnesota's 5th District—a diverse area encompassing Minneapolis—she remains a polarizing figure. Her advocacy for progressive policies on immigration, foreign policy (including criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza), and social justice has earned her both fervent supporters and vocal detractors. Despite the attack, Omar's team confirmed she would proceed with scheduled events, including a virtual town hall on healthcare access planned for later in the week.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by politicians in an increasingly divided America, where debates over immigration, race, and federal authority continue to fuel tensions.
