The man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar during Tuesday’s town hall in Minneapolis has been charged with assault by the Justice Department.
Anthony Kazmierczak was arrested and faces charges of forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating Ms. Omar, according to a federal complaint.
Authorities determined that the syringe he squirted on the Minnesota representative was filled with water and apple cider vinegar.
The attack came on the heels of contentious political incidents in Minneapolis, including two fatal shootings by federal agents during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
At the time of the squirting, Ms. Omar was at the podium and calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.
Mr. Kazmierczak said, “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart,” according to the affidavit.
Authorities also said that several years ago, he told a “close associate” that “somebody should kill that b——” while talking about Ms. Omar during a phone call.
Mr. Kazmierczak was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989 and has multiple arrests for driving under the influence, along with a list of traffic citations, court filings showed.
Some of his social media posts were critical of former President Biden and other Democrats and showed admiration for President Trump.
Mr. Trump has accused Ms. Omar of staging the incident, telling ABC News, “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”
Ms. Omar blames the president for threats to her safety.
• Mary McCue Bell can be reached at mbell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.