The US Department of Justice has filed federal charges against a Minnesota man accused of assaulting Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis. Prosecutors say the suspect used a syringe to spray a liquid substance at the congresswoman while she was performing her official duties. In a separate case, another man in Kansas has also been charged for making a death threat against Omar on Facebook.
According to court documents sighted by Okay News, the Minnesota suspect, Anthony Kazmierczak, is accused of forcibly interfering with a member of Congress. Investigators allege he had previously made threatening remarks about Omar and shouted at her during the incident. Omar’s office later confirmed the substance sprayed was apple cider vinegar, and despite being visibly shaken, she continued with the town hall after a brief disruption.
Federal prosecutors in Kansas also charged Adam Lee Osborn for posting an online death threat against Omar, which he reportedly described as “venting.” The cases come amid growing concern over rising threats against U.S. lawmakers. Recent figures from Capitol Police show a sharp increase in threat investigations involving members of Congress, marking the third consecutive year such cases have risen nationwide.
