Man Accused of Spraying Apple Cider Vinegar on Ilhan Omar Charged With Assault

Anthony James Kamierczak was charged with forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with the representative.

A man is tackled to the ground after spraying a substance on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 27, 2026. Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP

The Justice Department filed criminal charges on Wednesday against a man accused of spraying a liquid on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) during a town hall this week.

Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, was charged with forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with the representative while she was performing her official duties, according to the criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota.

The liquid that remained in the syringe used by the alleged assailant was tested by a hazmat specialist and determined to be water and apple cider vinegar.

Following the incident, Omar’s office said the congresswoman was “okay.”

“She continued with her town hall because she doesn’t let bullies win,” the office posted on X on Jan. 27.

Omar also responded to social media comments criticizing her for not taking measures to immediately remove the clothing or seek medical attention after being sprayed with an unknown substance.

“I didn’t do any of those things because I fear losing my dignity more than I fear losing my life,” Omar posted on X on Jan. 29.

In an affidavit, FBI Special Agent Derek Fossi in Minneapolis said the liquid stained Omar’s clothes and may have reached her face and right eye.

“As he sprayed her, Kazmierczak gestured at Representative Omar and shouted at her before turning away and being brought to the floor by two security officers who rushed to Representative Omar’s aid,” Fossi wrote.

The town hall was disrupted and delayed following the incident, before Omar resumed speaking.

Minneapolis police arrived at the scene and arrested Kazmierczak, who was booked at Hennepin County Jail on charges of third-degree assault, according to the affidavit.

The liquid in the syringe was also sent to a state laboratory for further testing and analysis.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) stands during a press conference on Jan. 28, 2026, in Minneapolis. Adam Gray/AP Photo

Kazmierczak also allegedly told a detective he used vinegar in the incident.

Several videos of the event were posted on social media. One video shows Kazmierczak standing up and approaching Omar just after she called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, according to the affidavit.

Fossi stated he had interviewed an associate of Kazmierczak on Wednesday who told him that Kazmierczak had said someone should kill Omar. A post from Kazmierczak’s Facebook page in 2021 depicts Omar holding a “defund police” sign.

It wasn’t clear whether Kazmierczak had an attorney representing him. A message requesting further comment was left at the public defender’s office in Minneapolis.