Rep. Ilhan Omar said Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s “reprehensible rhetoric” on immigration has contributed to an atmosphere in which people feel emboldened to intimidate and threaten communities in Minnesota, speaking one day after she was attacked during a town hall event.
Omar made the remarks at a news conference at Karmel Mall, a predominantly Somali shopping center in her district, following an incident Tuesday night in which a man shouted at her and sprayed an unknown substance before being tackled and arrested. Omar was not injured and continued the event.
“Karmell Mall is home to more than 100 small businesses, and the owners here have seen a significant decline in business since Trump’s ‘Operation Metro Surge’ began,” Omar said. “Community members are afraid to go out as a result of the occupation in our city by ICE.”
“Not only is the federal occupation hurting businesses, the president’s reprehensible rhetoric has let right-wing grifters to show up here to terrorize our community,” she added. “It is indefensible.”
Minneapolis police identified the suspect as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, who was arrested at the scene and booked into Hennepin County Jail on a third-degree assault charge.
According to Minnesota court records, Kazmierczak has a lengthy criminal history. The Associated Press reported that his social media posts included criticism of Democrats and former President Joe Biden, as well as support for Trump.
Omar said Trump’s repeated public attacks on her have fueled threats against her safety.
“I wouldn’t be where I am at today, having to pay for security, having the government to think about providing me security, if Donald Trump wasn’t in office and if he wasn’t so obsessed with me,” she said.
“It is ironic that just last night, he was on the stage moments before I was attacked, talking about me,” Omar added. “And then when asked about my attack, he said, ‘I don’t think about her.’”
