Ilhan Omar targeted at town hall as police arrest suspect in Minneapolis

Police in Minneapolis arrested a man after he sprayed US Representative Ilhan Omar with a foul-smelling liquid during a town hall event, according to a Reuters witness and police statements. Omar was not injured.

Video and eyewitness accounts described a security guard quickly restraining the man and bringing him to the ground. Police said the suspect was taken into custody on an allegation of third-degree assault while forensic teams collected evidence at the scene.

The incident occurred as Omar condemned federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and criticised the Department of Homeland Security leadership. She argued that Immigration and Customs Enforcement could not be meaningfully reformed and demanded accountability from senior officials.

Moments into her remarks, the man approached from the front row and sprayed her with what police said was the contents of a syringe, telling her she must resign. Omar stepped forward briefly in defiance before he was subdued, then continued the town hall after a short pause. A witness said the liquid smelled like ammonia and caused minor throat irritation.

The report also noted that Omar has been repeatedly attacked verbally by President Donald Trump, and that US Capitol Police said threat-assessment cases involving members of Congress and related facilities rose sharply in 2025 compared with the prior year.