Topline
The federal government brought criminal charges Thursday against the man who appeared to attack Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., at a public town hall this week, indicting him for assault after he allegedly tried to spray the congresswoman with what was reportedly apple cider vinegar.
A man is tackled after spraying an unknown substance at Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., during a town hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 27.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
Suspect Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, was charged with assaulting Omar based on a federal law implicating anyone who “forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates, or interferes” a public official while they are engaging in their official duties.
Kazmierczak appeared to charge at Omar during a public town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday and allegedly tried to spray a syringe filled with a liquid substance at her, which law enforcement sources later suggested was apple cider vinegar, before being tackled to the ground.
A “close associate” of Kazmierczak’s told law enforcement the suspect had previously said, “Somebody should kill that b–h,” referring to Omar, according to an affidavit filed in court Thursday.
Omar continued with the town hall after the attack and said she was OK following the incident, though a court filing indicates the liquid stained her clothes and may have hit her in the face and eye.
Kazmierczak could face up to eight years in prison if convicted.
What Did Kazmierczak Say During The Attack?
“She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart,” Kazmierczak said after he allegedly sprayed Omar with the liquid, according to a court filing.
Key Background
The attack came as President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly criticized Omar in recent weeks, launching an investigation into the congresswoman’s wealth, and as her constituency in Minnesota has been roiled by the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge” that’s sent thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the Twin Cities.
This story is breaking and will be updated.