Anthony Kazmierczak has been charged in federal court following Tuesday’s incident involving Representative Ilhan Omar. The charges include forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding, and intimidating Omar. These serious accusations stem from an incident where Kazmierczak allegedly sprayed a liquid substance on Omar.
According to an affidavit, authorities determined that the liquid was a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. Eyewitnesses reported that after the spraying, Kazmierczak seemed to shout, “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart,” indicating his motivations might be politically charged.
Further complicating the case are past statements Kazmierczak allegedly made. Court documents reveal that he told a close associate several years ago that “somebody should kill” Omar, raising concerns about his intentions and mindset.
Kazmierczak made a brief appearance in federal court on Thursday. His attorney, Jean Brandl, informed the judge that at the time of the incident, Kazmierczak was not taking his prescribed medications for Parkinson’s disease and other significant health issues, which may have impacted his behavior.
US Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster has ordered that Kazmierczak remain in custody. The judge emphasized the importance of ensuring he receives medical attention, instructing officials to facilitate a nurse’s visit when he is transferred to the Sherburne County Jail.
US Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster ordered that Kazmierczak remain in custody and told officials he needs to see a nurse when he is transferred to the Sherburne County Jail.
“This was a disturbing assault on Representative Omar, who is frequently the target of vilifying language by fellow elected politicians and members of the public,” Moriarty said.
“The trust of our community in the federal government keeping politics out of public safety has been eroded by their actions. A state-level conviction is not subject to a presidential pardon now or in the future.”
The attack came during a perilous political moment in Minneapolis, where two people have been fatally shot by federal agents during the White House’s aggressive immigration crackdown.
During a speech in Iowa earlier this week, shortly before Omar was attacked, he said immigrants need to be proud of the United States â “not like Ilhan Omar”.
Omar blamed Trump on Wednesday for threats to her safety.
“Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket,” Omar told reporters.
Trump accused Omar of staging the attack, telling ABC News, “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
Kazmierczak was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989, has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and has had numerous traffic citations, Minnesota court records show. There are also indications he has had significant financial problems, including two bankruptcy filings.
In social media posts, Kazmierczak criticised former president Joe Biden and referred to Democrats as “angry and liars”. Trump “wants the US is stronger and more prosperous,” he wrote. “Stop other countries from stealing from us.”
In another post, Kazmierczak asked, “When will descendants of slaves pay restitution to Union soldiers’ families for freeing them/dying for them, and not sending them back to Africa?”
Threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years, peaking in 2021 following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters before dipping slightly, only to climb again, according to the most recent figures from the US Capitol Police.
Officials said they investigated nearly 15,000 “concerning statements, behaviours, and communications directed against Members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex” in 2025.
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