Political Violence and Public Safety

Minneapolis police identified the man who rushed Rep. Ilhan Omar during a Minneapolis town hall and sprayed her with a foul‑smelling, unknown liquid delivered from a syringe as 55‑year‑old Anthony (James) Kazmierczak; officers immediately took him into custody and he was booked into Hennepin County Jail on a third‑degree assault charge. The attack — which occurred as Omar was calling for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign and advocating abolishing ICE — prompted forensic and U.S. Capitol Police follow‑up; Omar declined immediate medical attention, continued the event, and later said she was “ok” and would not be intimidated.