The individual accused of assaulting Representative Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., with a liquid later confirmed to be apple cider vinegar, will remain in custody until his trial. The judge determined he poses a threat to the community.
Anthony James Kazmierczak, 56, made a court appearance on Tuesday, a week after allegedly using a syringe to spray the congresswoman at a Minneapolis town hall event.
Defense attorney John Fossum pointed out that Kazmierczak was dressed in a yellow jumpsuit, indicating his client is in solitary confinement. Fossum voiced concerns about Kazmierczak’s mental health condition.
Although Kazmierczak is not considered likely to flee, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Schultz ruled he should remain detained to safeguard the community. The judge’s decision was based on the charges in Hennepin County, which include a felony count of making terroristic threats and a fifth-degree assault charge.
Rep. Ilhan Omar was reportedly targeted during her speech at the Minneapolis town hall, with local police identifying Anthony Kazmierczak as the suspect.
“This incident was a troubling attack on Rep. Omar, who often faces hostile rhetoric from other officials and the public,” stated Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. “Our community’s confidence in the federal government to keep politics out of public safety has been undermined. A conviction at the state level cannot be nullified by a presidential pardon now or in the future.”
A man is tackled after spraying an unknown substance at Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall she was hosting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 27, 2026. (Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
Fossum stated that his client is not in good health and is suffering from Parkinson’s disease and sleep apnea. He went on to argue that the “risk of harm” to Omar was “actually quite small,” saying that the liquid was relatively harmless.
However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar argued that it could’ve caused bodily injury.
“Certainly that would cause bodily injury if that got in Rep. Omar’s eyes,” Bejar said. “We simply cannot have protesters and people, whatever side of the aisle you’re on, running up to a representative conducting official business.”
Kazmierczak allegedly admitted to Minneapolis police during his arrest that he had squirted vinegar on Omar.
Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance during a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 27. (Fox News)
When the alleged attack occurred, Omar was speaking about immigration policy and called for a transparent investigation and legal action against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as the abolition of the agency. She also said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should resign or “face impeachment.”
Omar stepped back momentarily, appearing shaken after Kazmierczak allegedly sprayed her with the liquid. After a brief pause, Omar continued to address the crowd for at least another 10 minutes.
Kazmierczak has a criminal history and was convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2009 and again in 2010. Records indicate he served one day in jail followed by five years supervised probation for the 2010 conviction and was put on home detention for 30 days in relation to his 2009 conviction.
