United States Representative Ilhan Omar directly linked a recent physical attack against her to the persistent hostile language used by President Donald Trump. The 43-year-old emphasized the dangerous climate of political violence.
Ilhan Omar calls out Donald Trump after attack
Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar blamed President Donald Trump for threats to her safety on January 28, one day after a man accosted her. The attacker sprayed Omar with an unknown liquid at a Minneapolis town hall event. The man, later arrested, had a history of online posts supporting Trump.
“Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket,” Omar stated. She added, “Fear and intimidation doesn’t work on me (via AP News).”
The incident happened during a tense period in Minneapolis, as recently there have been fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents. Omar, a Somali refugee who has long been a target in Trump’s anti-immigrant speeches, called for accountability. Just hours before the attack, Trump had criticized her during an Iowa rally, saying immigrants need to be proud of America—”not like Ilhan Omar.”
In a shocking response, Donald Trump accused Ilhan Omar of orchestrating the attack herself. “I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud,” the 79-year-old told ABC News. “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
The accused attacker, Anthony Kazmierczak, reportedly has a criminal history and a record of online activity championing the President. Court records show past convictions and arrests. In social media posts, he criticized President Joe Biden and Democrats while praising Donald Trump, writing that Trump “wants the US is stronger and more prosperous.”
Police reports state Kazmierczak used a syringe to spray a light-brown liquid on Omar after she called for immigration policy changes. He was immediately tackled and arrested. The FBI has now taken the lead on the investigation. Despite the attack, Omar said, “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.”
