>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
Within seconds of that declaration, Kazmierczak charged toward the stage and unleashed the liquid toward Omar, prompting chaos inside the room. Audience members screamed as security rushed in to subdue the suspect.
“Oh my God! He sprayed something on her!” a town hall attendee shouted.
At first, authorities were unsure what substance had been used, leading to fears of a chemical or biological threat. Emergency responders treated the situation seriously, bringing in a hazmat team to examine the liquid and secure the scene.
Despite the scare, Omar reportedly insisted that the event continue after the suspect was restrained. Visibly angry, the congresswoman shouted at those around her:
“We will continue! This f*cking a**hole is not going to get away with it!” Ilhan Omar shouted.
WATCH:
That response itself drew criticism online, with many questioning whether the situation was being downplayed before the substance was identified, and whether the safety of attendees was truly being prioritized.
As the investigation unfolded, the substance was ultimately identified as apple cider vinegar — a revelation that led to even more questions rather than answers.
The New York Post later reported:
The “foul” mystery brownish liquid US Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with during a chaotic Minnesota town hall meeting late Tuesday is believed to have been apple cider vinegar.
According to Alpha News, the attack occurred while Omar was delivering an anti-ICE speech, citing sources familiar with the incident. The outlet reported that Kazmierczak allegedly used a syringe filled with the vinegary substance.
The Post continued:
Omar (D-Minn.) was hit with the kitchen staple when 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak allegedly stormed the podium as the lefty congresswoman was firing off an anti-ICE spiel, Alpha News reported, citing sources.
Authorities reportedly confirmed the nature of the substance shortly after:
A hazmat team confirmed, too, that the syringe Kazmierczak allegedly used in the attack was filled with the vinegary substance, the outlet added.
One city official who was struck by the liquid described a violent physical reaction. Minneapolis City Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw said the odor was so overpowering that it caused her to become physically ill.
“It smelled like vinegar or ammonia,” Vetaw said, adding that the odor was “overwhelming.”
She elaborated further on the experience, explaining that the smell lingered far longer than expected.
“It started out smelling really like apple cider vinegar-smelly. Then it started to smell like ammonia, like a strong, pure ammonia smell, I was wondering why the smell wasn’t going away.”
The reaction escalated quickly.
“I got sick to my stomach,” she continued. “I went outside and threw up because, like, the smell was so strong.”
As news of the incident spread, speculation erupted online, with critics questioning how a man carrying a syringe was able to approach a sitting member of Congress so easily. Others openly wondered whether the incident was exaggerated or even staged to generate sympathy or political momentum.
While there is no official evidence supporting those claims, the lack of clear answers surrounding security protocols and the rapid dismissal of the threat have fueled distrust among critics and observers.
What remains undeniable is that a man breached security, approached a federal lawmaker, and carried out an attack — however minor the substance may have turned out to be. For many Americans, that alone represents a failure that demands serious scrutiny.
As investigators continue reviewing the incident, the public is left asking an uncomfortable but necessary question: How did this happen — and could it happen again?
