Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked with an unknown liquid during a public town hall on Tuesday evening in north Minneapolis, after a man used a syringe to spray a substance in her direction.
Police confirmed the incident happened during the event, but Omar was not injured and continued speaking to the audience.
The attack matters because it raises fresh concerns about political safety, intimidation, and rising tensions around immigration debates in the United States, issues closely watched by UK audiences amid global democratic pressures.
What exactly happened to Ilhan Omar at the town hall?
The incident occurred at one of Ilhan Omar’s regular town hall meetings, attended by around 100 people in a basement venue in north Minneapolis.
According to Minneapolis police, a man in the audience used a syringe to spray an unknown liquid toward Omar. The smell spread quickly across the front of the room, prompting immediate concern.
“I thought it was her aide handing her something,” said Jacquelynn Goessling, who was sitting nearby. “Then the smell consumed the front part of the room.”
🚨 BREAKING: Ilhan Omar sprayed with “unknown substance” at a Town Hall in Minneapolis
Unfortunately, the substance WASN’T some sort of deportation potion, as Omar is still speaking at the podium.
Darn. pic.twitter.com/6thg5TdEIB
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 28, 2026
Police arrested the man immediately at the scene, while forensic teams began testing the substance. Authorities have not yet confirmed what the liquid was or whether it posed any health risk.
Was Ilhan Omar injured during the attack?
No. Ilhan Omar was unharmed and chose to continue the town hall despite officials’ urging her to stop the event.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Omar addressed the attack directly: “I’m ok. I’m a survivor, so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win.”
I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.
I don’t let bullies win.
Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 28, 2026
Video footage from the room shows staff members shouting “make a hole” as they removed the suspect. As he was pushed out, the man shouted that Omar was “pitting us against each other”, though it remains unclear what he meant.
Why was the town hall already tense before the attack?
The meeting focused on immigration enforcement in Minnesota, following two fatal shootings of US citizens by immigration officials this month, events that have triggered local protests and public anger.
Key incidents discussed at the town hall:
- January: Immigration officer fatally shot Renee Good, a US citizen
- Last week, Alex Pretti, also a US citizen, was shot dead after being stopped by border agents
During the event, Omar called for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished and said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should: “Resign or face impeachment.”
Witnesses said the attack happened shortly after these remarks, adding to concerns that political violence may be escalating alongside heated immigration debates.
How did Ilhan Omar respond inside the room?
Despite pressure from officials to end the event, Omar returned to the podium and urged the audience to stay calm. “We will continue… we are Minnesota strong,” she told the room.
Later, she added, “We’re gonna keep talking. Just give me ten minutes. Please don’t let them have the show.”
Her decision to continue speaking drew both praise and concern, with supporters viewing it as an act of defiance against intimidation.
What have city leaders said about the attack?
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the incident in a public statement: “Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in our city.”
Police confirmed that the suspect remains in custody while investigations continue.
Who is Ilhan Omar, and why is she a frequent target?
Ilhan Omar made history in 2019 as:
- The first Somali-American in the US Congress
- The first African-born American elected to Congress
- One of the first two Muslim women to serve in the US House of Representatives
She has also faced repeated political attacks, particularly from US President Donald Trump, who has previously labelled her a “radical left lunatic”.
Many local activists believe the recent surge in immigration enforcement is politically motivated. On Tuesday, Trump said his administration would “de-escalate a little bit” in Minnesota following the latest shooting.
Why does this incident matter to UK readers?
Although the attack happened in the United States, it highlights a wider trend of political hostility, threats to elected officials, and polarised debate, issues that resonate strongly in the UK.
The incident raises broader questions about:
- Safety at public political events
- The limits of protest versus intimidation
- How democracies protect open debate without violence
