Representative Ilhan Omar on Wednesday directly blamed President Donald Trump for an attack against her in Minneapolis, arguing that his rhetoric has created an environment in which threats and acts of intimidation against her have escalated.
Speaking at the Karmel Mall, Omar framed the incident not as an isolated act by an individual, but as part of a broader pattern she says has followed her throughout Trump’s political career.
The news conference came one day after authorities say a 55-year-old man, Anthony James Kazmierczak, sprayed Omar with an unknown liquid using a syringe during a public appearance.
The suspect was immediately subdued by security and later charged with third-degree assault. The liquid was later reported to smell strongly of vinegar, and Omar declined medical treatment at the scene, choosing instead to continue her remarks.
Omar used the appearance to reiterate her call to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a position she has amplified following the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. She argued that the attack underscored her belief that political intimidation would not deter her from advocating for systemic changes to immigration policy.
Central to Omar’s remarks was her assertion that Trump’s criticism of her has had measurable consequences. She said that during Trump’s first term, she went from being an obscure freshman lawmaker to receiving more death threats than any other member of Congress, necessitating round-the-clock protection from Capitol Police.
According to Omar, the volume of threats declined sharply during the Biden administration, only to surge again after Trump returned to office.
Trump, when asked about the incident in an interview, dismissed Omar and suggested the attack may have been staged, saying he did not think about her and calling her a “fraud.” Omar seized on those comments, calling them contradictory and ironic, noting that Trump had criticized her publicly shortly before the attack occurred.
Omar also speculated about the alleged attacker’s motives, claiming he was angered by what he perceived as insufficient deportations of Somali immigrants under Trump’s policies. That assertion has not been confirmed by authorities, who have not publicly detailed the suspect’s political motivations.
