About four minutes after Rep. Ilhan Omar took the podium at a town hall meeting in north Minneapolis on Tuesday night, a man jumped from the front row and rushed toward her.

The man sprayed Omar with a syringe full of what CNN confirmed with law enforcement was likely apple cider vinegar before being tackled to the ground by security. Moments earlier, Omar had called for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.

Minneapolis City Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw (Ward 4) said in a statement Tuesday night that she and Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) were also splashed as they sat nearby. Omar continued speaking after the man was apprehended and removed from the room by several security officers.

“Here is the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand, we are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us,” Omar said as she resumed the town hall.

The Minneapolis Police Department arrested the man and identified him as 55-year-old Anthony J. Kazmierczak on Wednesday. Forensic scientists responded to process the scene, according to Vetaw’s statement. 

The attack comes amid continued disparaging remarks toward Omar from President Donald Trump, who referred to her as “garbage” in December. On Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that the Department of Justice is “looking at” Omar and her finances.

The town hall, held alongside five other local and state officials, gave updates on the work being done to end what DHS calls Operation Metro Surge. DHS said ICE agents have arrested around 3,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota since late December. 

The operation has sparked widespread protests, compounded by ICE agents shooting Minneapolis residents Renee Good, a wife and mother of three, and Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse. The two ICE agents involved with Pretti’s death were placed on leave Wednesday, reported The Minnesota Star Tribune. 

Pretti’s shooting drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. Chris Madel, a Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate, withdrew from the race Monday, citing his opposition to Operation Metro Surge. 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey each spoke separately with Trump on Monday about the operation. Both later said the conversations were productive and that they emphasized to Trump the need for federal agents to leave Minnesota.

Monday also brought news that Commander Gregory Bovino, the border official who led ICE operations in Minnesota, would be replaced by border czar Tom Homan. Walz met with Homan on Tuesday and said both agreed on the need for ongoing conversation, according to NBC News. Frey also met with Homan and said he reiterated that Operation Metro Surge must end. 

Vetaw, who spoke shortly before Omar at the town hall, said she spoke with Frey on Monday, and the mayor expressed confidence that ICE agents will begin to leave Minnesota. 

Omar said the fight is not over until real justice and accountability are achieved, including fair investigations into the killings of Pretti and Good. 

“The level of violence, federal overreach, lawlessness carried out in the name of federal immigration enforcement is unprecedented,” Omar said. 

Omar condemned the treatment of immigrants and observers and the lack of due process for immigration cases.

“U.S. citizens are being assaulted and detained. Minnesotans are expected to carry their citizenship papers. People are dying in ICE custody,” she said.

Omar said last week that Republicans proposed a Homeland Security funding bill, allocating $28 billion for ICE and Border Patrol. Omar led the Congressional Progressive Caucus in opposition to the bill.

“We as a caucus adopted an official position, and now we have gotten all of the Democratic senators to agree to that position and hold ICE accountable,” she said.

Much of the town hall focused on how state and local officials are working to or planning to support communities amid Operation Metro Surge. 

The spring legislative session starts mid-February. Minnesota Senate President Champion said he and other senators plan to introduce legislation focused on protecting constitutional rights, including exploring passing a law that prohibits ICE from wearing masks, and finding ways to help small businesses, as many report decreased business during ICE activity.

“There are people who are not going to work, because they are afraid,” Champion said. “There are individuals who are U.S. citizens who won’t go to restaurants and won’t come out of the house. Also, businesses are suffering.” 

Omar is scheduled to hold a press conference Wednesday night following a visit to Karmel Mall, home to many small Somali-owned businesses. She will hear directly from owners on how ICE activity has affected their businesses. 

Omar ended the town hall by taking a handful of community questions and said she believes this moment in history will pass. 

“It’s truly heartbreaking this moment we find ourselves in, but if we know anything about U.S. history, it’s that everything is temporary,” she said. “We will find our way out of this.”