Daijiworld Media Network - Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Jan 28: US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was attacked during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday after a man allegedly sprayed an unknown substance on her, triggering panic among those present. The suspect was quickly tackled and pinned to the ground by people in the audience, with several cheering as his arms were restrained behind his back.

In a video of the incident, a voice from the crowd can be heard saying, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.” Despite the disruption, Omar continued with the town hall after the man was escorted out of the room.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis over federal immigration enforcement, following two fatal shootings by agents earlier this month involving an intensive care nurse and a mother of three.

Just before the attack, Omar had called for the abolition of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanded the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, stating, “ICE cannot be reformed.”

Minneapolis police have not yet issued an official statement on whether an arrest was made. The White House also did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticised Omar, intensified his remarks earlier on Tuesday while addressing a gathering in Iowa, saying his administration would admit only immigrants who “love our country.” He took a swipe at Omar during the speech, drawing boos from the crowd.

Meanwhile, Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace condemned the attack, saying that regardless of political differences, no elected representative should face physical violence.

The incident comes shortly after another lawmaker, US Rep. Maxwell Frost, was allegedly assaulted in Utah during the Sundance Film Festival, with the accused reportedly invoking Trump while making threats.