Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with apple cider vinegar during her town hall event in Minneapolis, Minnesota, according to forensic investigators.
A man seated in the front row sprayed Omar’s chest with a syringe-like device lunging at her from his seat before being detained by law enforcement. Forensic investigators determined the substance was apple cider vinegar in the following hours, according to KARE, a local Minneapolis outlet.
Omar’s office said in a statement the lawmaker “is okay” and continued her town hall “because she doesn’t let bullies win.” Authorities took the man into custody and shortly charged with third-degree assault, according to CBS News.
Omar called for the resignation of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the moments leading up to the incident. The representative quickly pressed to continue the town hall, stating, “We will continue. These f***ing a**holes are not going to get away with it,” according to CBS News.
When asked about the incident, President Donald Trump suggested it may have been staged. “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her,” the president told ABC News.
The altercation came in the midst of ongoing violence in Minnesota, including the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The president dispatched White House border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota on Monday to manage ongoing ICE operations, and had what he described as a “productive” call with Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz regarding the agency’s actions in the state.
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