Ilhan Omar Attacked with Syringe of Unknown Liquid During Town Hall Meeting

Wed Jan 28 2026 21:12:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar was the target of an attack involving an unknown substance sprayed at her using a syringe during a recent town hall event. Despite the incident, Omar remained uninjured and continued her engagement with constituents.

Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota faced an aggressive incident during a town hall meeting when an audience member sprayed her with an unknown liquid from a syringe. Omar assured attendees that she was fine and expressed her commitment to continue her work despite the attack. The attacker was arrested, and forensic investigations are underway. Omar's remarks preceding the attack focused on immigration policy, adding to the contentious atmosphere surrounding the event.

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked with an unknown substance at a town hall she was hosting on Tuesday, when an audience member used a syringe to spray liquid at her, according to Minneapolis police.

Omar was uninjured and continued to address the gathering after the incident, with the man being promptly arrested as forensics were conducted at the scene.

Attendee Jacquelynn Goessling recounted mistaking the attacker for a staff member approaching Omar with a note due to the suddenness of the action, which was accompanied by an acrid smell that permeated the room.

In a statement on X, Omar affirmed, 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. After the incident, she reiterated to the audience, we will continue... we are Minnesota strong.

Many in attendance praised her bravery for completing the town hall despite the unsettling event. One participant, Alfred Flowers Jr, remarked on his admiration for her courage.

The disturbance was captured on video, showing security personnel stating make a hole while removing the man from the venue. As he was being escorted out, he accused Omar of pitting us against each other, although his exact claims were not clarified.

The liquid sprayed on Omar was reported to have a sour odor similar to that of a chemical product, as noted by witnessing journalists on-site.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the attack via social media, stating that Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk... This kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our city.

Omar, who made history in 2019 as the first Somali-American and first African-born American woman to serve in Congress, had been discussing key topics affecting her constituents, particularly the presence of federal immigration agents in the area and the local impact of recent incidents involving immigration enforcement.

The town hall draw about 100 attendees, many of whom were concerned about rising immigration enforcement actions, particularly following two recent fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by immigration officials that sparked protests and public outcry.

During the event, Omar had called for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and urged Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to consider resignation or face impeachment. Following these statements, the attack took place.

Despite officials urging Omar to abandon the town hall post-attack, she remained resolute, asking, We're gonna keep talking. Just give me ten minutes. Please don't let them have the show. Please don't let them have the show.

The tension surrounding immigration policies has been exacerbated by remarks from former President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized Omar. On the day of the attack, Trump addressed the previous shootings, stating his administration would de-escalate a little bit in Minnesota.