Watch video: Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown substance during Minneapolis town hall; rep says she is unharmed

Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance during a town hall event she was hosting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, January 27 before security and attendees quickly tackled the suspect to the ground. According to videos circulating online, a man wearing a black jacket was seen rushing toward Rep. Omar and spraying a substance at her before being restrained. The audience cheered as the man was pinned down, with his arms tied behind his back. Attendees from the incident were also heard saying, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.”

Despite the disruption, Ilhan Omar continued the event after the man was escorted out, telling the audience, “We will continue! These fucking assholes are not gonna get away with this!”

Ilhan Omar says she is “ok” after being sprayed

Following the incident, Omar posted on X that she was unharmed and would not be intimidated. “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work,” Ilhan Omar wrote. She added, “I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”


The attack occurred shortly after Rep. Omar made forceful remarks calling for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “ICE cannot be reformed,” AP quoted Ilhan Omar as saying during the town hall, also calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.

Trump has repeatedly criticized Ilhan Omar

President Donald Trump has frequently criticized Ilhan Omar and has intensified verbal attacks on her in recent months, particularly as he has turned attention toward Minneapolis. During a cabinet meeting in December, Trump referred to Omar as “garbage,” adding that “her friends are garbage.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump again criticized Rep. Omar while speaking to a crowd in Iowa, saying his administration would only allow immigrants who “can show that they love our country.”