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U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, the first Muslim woman elected to Congress, was targeted late Tuesday when an unidentified liquid was sprayed at her from a syringe-like device during a public town hall meeting in Minneapolis.
The assailant, who emerged from the front row of the audience, approached Omar after she criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies and called for the dismantling of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Security personnel immediately intervened and subdued the attacker, who was taken into custody by Minneapolis police. Omar’s office confirmed the arrest shortly after the incident.
Authorities have not yet released details about the attacker’s identity or the contents of the syringe. No injuries were reported, and no further disruptions occurred during the event. Minneapolis police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.
Moments before the assault, Omar had strongly condemned ICE and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. "ICE cannot be reformed, it cannot be rehabilitated. We must abolish ICE for good," she said, to a round of applause. She added that Secretary Noem "must resign or face impeachment."
ICE has been at the center of multiple developments in early 2026 that reflect both domestic enforcement and political controversy. A U.S. federal judge in Minnesota recently ordered the acting ICE director to appear in court over the agency’s failure to comply with court deadlines, a dispute tied to public protests and legal challenges against aggressive enforcement tactics in the state.
Reports show that immigrant deaths in ICE custody have risen this year, with at least six deaths already documented in 2026, drawing scrutiny from civil rights groups and lawmakers.
After the attacker sprayed her with the unknown substance, Omar briefly raised her fist and stepped toward the man before returning to the podium. Despite concerns from her team, she resumed her remarks.
"Here’s the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand: We are Minnesota strong. And we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw on us," Omar told the audience.
The town hall took place amid mounting tensions over aggressive immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, where two U.S. citizens were reportedly killed earlier this month during raids by thousands of ICE agents. The crackdown has sparked unrest and heightened security concerns among immigrant communities.
Earlier the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Omar and her country of origin during a campaign speech in Iowa, stating that the Somalia-born congresswoman "comes from a country that’s a disaster." During his second term, Trump has authorized 143 military strikes in Somalia and scaled back diplomatic and humanitarian engagement, according to the U.S.-based think tank New America.
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