Ilhan Omar’s attacker sentenced to 14 months after spraying her with vinegar at town hall
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Anthony James Kazmierczak pleaded guilty following the January assault, which prosecutors said showed evidence of advance planning.
A Minnesota man who sprayed vinegar on Rep. Ilhan Omar during a Minneapolis town hall has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal official. Anthony James Kazmierczak was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen, nearly eight months after the January attack.
As reported by Reuters, the attack happened on Jan. 27, 2026. Omar was speaking at a town hall about the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis. According to federal prosecutors, Kazmierczak rose from the audience, approached Omar and sprayed her with liquid from a syringe. The substance was later identified as a mixture containing apple cider vinegar.
Video of the incident showed Kazmierczak shouting at Omar before security officers quickly subdued him. Omar was not injured and continued with the town hall. Kazmierczak could be heard saying, “You must resign.” He later pleaded guilty to assaulting a U.S. official. Reuters reported that he admitted the attack was motivated by his disagreement with Omar’s political views.
At Thursday’s sentencing, Kazmierczak apologized to Omar.
“I really apologize to her for having put her through that,” he said, according to AP. In a message to Omar after the attack, he had also written, “I’m sorry if I scared you.” His attorney argued that Kazmierczak had not been taking prescribed mental-health medication before the attack and that this contributed to his behavior. AP reported that Kazmierczak has also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Federal prosecutors presented evidence suggesting the assault was not simply an impulsive act. According to reporting, Kazmierczak had obtained tickets to the town hall weeks before the incident. Prosecutors also said he exchanged messages with at least three people indicating he planned to do something at the event involving Omar, while not explaining exactly what he intended to do.
The sentence includes three years of supervised release, with a condition prohibiting contact with Omar. Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen previously condemned the assault, describing it as part of a broader concern about political hostility turning into criminal acts.