U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar reacts as a man (not pictured) disrupts her and sprayed an unidentified liquid in her direction during a town hall, days after a man identified as Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 27, 2026. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) – Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked during a town hall meeting Tuesday night after a man sprayed her with an unidentified substance while she was delivering her opening remarks at a community center in north Minneapolis.
Security officers immediately tackled the suspect to the ground and escorted him out of the room as attendees applauded. Despite the incident, Omar refused to leave the stage and continued addressing the audience.
“I learned at a young age that you don’t give into threats,” Omar told the crowd.
The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed the suspect was arrested at the scene and booked into the county jail on a charge of third-degree assault. Police said forensic scientists responded to analyze the substance used in the attack.
In a statement released later, Omar said she was unharmed and would not be intimidated by the incident.
President Donald Trump addressed the attack when asked by reporters, dismissing Omar and casting doubt on the incident.
“No. I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud. I really don’t think about that,” Trump said. “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
The comments immediately drew attention as the investigation into the attack remains ongoing. Authorities have not identified the substance used or released further details about the suspect.
