Rep. Ilhan Omar Refuses to Back Down After Being Sprayed with Unknown Liquid at Town Hall
A disturbing incident occurred at a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, where a man sprayed Rep. Ilhan Omar with an unknown liquid. Despite the shocking attack, Omar remained steadfast, refusing to leave the event and vowing not to be intimidated. The man responsible was immediately apprehended and booked into Hennepin County Jail for third-degree assault, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
The incident took place while Omar was calling for the abolishment of ICE and the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. A man in the front row suddenly rushed up to her, spraying her with a substance while yelling. Security personnel quickly intervened, grabbing the man and leading him out of the room in handcuffs. Omar, however, declined to leave, stating, “We will continue. These f***ing a**holes are not going to get away with it!”
Response to the Attack
Omar continued to speak and take questions for almost 30 minutes, demonstrating her resilience in the face of adversity. She later posted on social media, “I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win.” The U.S. Capitol Police released a statement condemning the attack, saying, “Tonight, a man is in custody after he decided to assault a Member of Congress – an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice.”
The incident occurred during a tense period in Minneapolis, following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by two Customs and Border Protection agents. The city has seen days of protests, and thousands of federal immigration agents have been deployed to the area as part of a crackdown by the Trump administration. Omar, the first Somali-American elected to Congress, has spoken frequently about the death threats she has received, many of which have included racist or Islamophobic language.
Rising Threats Against Members of Congress
Unfortunately, Omar is not alone in facing physical confrontations and threats. Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida was assaulted during an event at the Sundance Film Festival, and the U.S. Capitol Police reported investigating 14,938 threats and concerning statements against lawmakers, their families, and staff last year. This represents a significant uptick in threats, with 9,474 reported in 2024 and 8,000 in 2023.
Omar’s bravery and determination in the face of adversity serve as a testament to her commitment to her work and her constituents. As she stated, “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.” For more information on this incident, visit Here
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