Man tackled after spraying unknown substance at Ilhan Omar town hall in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (JN) – U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar was briefly disrupted during a public town hall in Minneapolis after a man sprayed an unknown substance in her direction and was quickly restrained by attendees, according to accounts and video from the event. Omar was not visibly injured and continued the meeting after the individual was removed from the room.

The incident occurred Tuesday evening as political tensions in the city remain elevated following recent federal immigration enforcement actions, including a fatal shooting earlier this month that has drawn protests and national attention. Authorities had not immediately released details about the suspect or the substance involved.

Omar, a Democrat who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, resumed speaking shortly after the disruption, drawing applause from the audience.

Disruption during public forum

Video footage from inside the venue shows a man wearing a dark jacket standing near the front of the room before spraying a substance toward Omar. Several people immediately rushed toward him, tackling him to the floor and restraining his arms as members of the audience shouted in alarm. One voice can be heard saying, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.”

Audience members cheered as the man was pinned down and escorted out. Omar remained on stage and continued the town hall without a visible pause once the situation was secured.

Minneapolis police did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the man was arrested or what substance was sprayed. The White House also did not respond to inquiries Tuesday night.

No injuries were immediately reported.

Political context at the event

The disruption came moments after Omar delivered sharp criticism of U.S. immigration policy and federal leadership. During her remarks, she reiterated her long-held call to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arguing that the agency cannot be reformed. She also called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Immigration enforcement has become a flashpoint in Minneapolis in recent weeks, particularly after federal agents fatally shot an intensive care nurse and mother of three earlier this month. That incident has fueled demonstrations and intensified scrutiny of federal operations in the region, according to local officials and national reporting.

Omar, one of the most prominent progressive voices in Congress on immigration issues, has frequently criticized the expansion of enforcement authority and the role of federal agencies in local communities.

Escalating rhetoric from national leaders

The incident also comes against a backdrop of increasingly personal attacks directed at Omar by President Donald Trump. The president has criticized the congresswoman repeatedly in recent months as part of a broader political focus on Minneapolis and immigration.

During a Cabinet meeting in December, Trump referred to Omar using derogatory language. Earlier on Tuesday, hours before the town hall, he again singled her out while speaking to a crowd in Iowa.

In his remarks, Trump said his administration would only admit immigrants who “can show that they love our country,” adding, “They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar.” The comment drew boos from parts of the audience when her name was mentioned.

Trump went on to criticize Omar’s background, making remarks about her country of origin that prompted audible reaction from the crowd. The White House has not commented on whether the president’s rhetoric was addressed internally following the Minneapolis incident.

Condemnation across party lines

Lawmakers from both parties condemned the disruption and the use of force against a sitting member of Congress.

Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina who has frequently clashed with Omar on policy issues, issued a statement on the social media platform X denouncing the attack.

“I am deeply disturbed to learn that Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall today,” Mace wrote. “Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric — and I do — no elected official should face physical attacks. This is not who we are.”

Such statements reflect a broader concern among lawmakers about the safety of public officials as political polarization deepens across the United States.

Pattern of recent incidents

The Minneapolis disruption follows another recent confrontation involving a member of Congress. Days earlier, a man was arrested in Utah after allegedly punching Representative Maxwell Frost, a Democrat from Florida, during the Sundance Film Festival. According to authorities, the suspect made political statements during the assault.

Security experts and law enforcement officials have warned that public events involving elected officials have become increasingly vulnerable as tensions rise around immigration, elections, and national identity issues. While most town halls and public forums remain peaceful, recent incidents have prompted renewed calls for enhanced security measures.

Omar has not publicly commented beyond continuing the event, and her office did not immediately issue a statement after the town hall.

Ongoing investigation

As of Tuesday night, it remained unclear whether the individual involved in the Minneapolis incident would face charges. Police have not confirmed whether the substance sprayed posed any health risk, and no emergency medical response was reported at the scene.

The investigation is expected to focus on identifying the suspect, determining intent, and assessing whether the act constitutes assault or another criminal offense under Minnesota law.

For now, Omar’s office said the congresswoman planned to continue holding public events as scheduled.