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Ilhan Omar sprayed by unknown substance during speech

A man is tackled after he sprayed liquid at Ilhan Omar
A man is tackled after he sprayed liquid at Ilhan Omar

US Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar was targeted during a speech last night by a man who sprayed an unidentified liquid at her from a syringe before being tackled by security guards.

The man was led out of the premises as Ms Omar - a frequent target of attacks by President Donald Trump - continued her speech, saying "we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw on us."

The man was taken into custody by Minneapolis police, her office said.


Watch: Moment Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar is attacked at town hall


The incident took place during a town hall even in Minneapolis, where two US citizens have been killed this month in a violent anti-immigration crackdown with thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, provoking growing unrest.

Ms Omar had just finished calling for the Trump administration to reverse its current course when the attack occurred.

"ICE cannot be reformed, it cannot be rehabilitated. We must abolish ICE for good," she said, to applause.

"And (Department of Homeland Security) Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment."

After Ms Omar said those words, a man jumped up from the front row, made a remark and sprayed the congresswoman, as security leapt to grab him. Ms Omar raised a fist and stepped toward the attacker before returning to the podium.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 27: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks during a town hall meeting at the Urban League Twin Cities facility on January 27, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A person holding a syringe charged the podium as Omar spoke. Protests and demonstrations continue ramping up arou
Ilhan Omar continued her speech after the incident

After uttering a few expletives, and against her team's vocal concerns that she should not continue, the congresswoman took the microphone.

"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," Ms Omar said.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Trump blasted Ms Omar and Somalia during a speech in Iowa, saying the Mogadishu-born congresswoman "comes from a country that's a disaster."

Mr Trump has ordered 143 strikes against Somalia in his second term, according to US think tank New America, and has pulled back diplomatic relations, including recently stopping humanitarian aid.