Omar slams Trump’s ‘reprehensible rhetoric’ on immigration in wake of personal attack
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) suggested on Wednesday that President Trump’s “reprehensible rhetoric” on immigration has contributed to an environment in which “right-wing grifters” feel free to “terrorize our community.”
Omar spoke at a press conference one day after she was ambushed during a town hall event by a man who shouted at her and sprayed an unknown substance on her. He was tackled to the ground and arrested, and Omar remained unharmed and continued speaking.
Omar nodded to the incident in her brief remarks on Wednesday, as she railed against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota and the targeting of the Somali community, which has been under intense scrutiny in the wake of the sprawling welfare fraud scandal involving dozens of Somali Americans.
“Karmell Mall is home to more than 100 small businesses, and the owners here have seen a significant decline in business since Trump’s ‘Operation Metro Surge’ began. Community members are afraid to go out as a result of the occupation in our city by ICE,” Omar said at the press conference, which was held at the predominantly Somali shopping center in her district.
“Not only is the federal occupation hurting businesses, the president’s reprehensible rhetoric has let right-wing grifters to show up here to terrorize our community,” Omar continued, a veiled nod to the incident the previous day. “It is indefensible.”
Minneapolis police identified the suspect arrested as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, who was immediately arrested and booked on a third-degree assault charge.
Kazmierczak has a lengthy criminal record, according to Minnesota court records, and a history of support for Trump and conservative causes, according to a review of his social media.
The Associated Press reported that Kazmierczak has referred to Democrats as “angry and liars” in social media posts and made critical comments about former President Biden.
“Trump wants the US is stronger and more prosperous,” Kazmierczak reportedly wrote in one post. “Stop other countries from stealing from us. Bring back the fear that enemies back away from and gain respect that If anyone threatens ourselves or friends we will (expletive) them up.”
At the press conference Wednesday, Omar suggested Trump’s rhetoric and consistent focus on her has fueled threats against her.
“I wouldn’t be where I am at today, having to pay for security, having the government to think about providing me security, if Donald Trump wasn’t in office and if he wasn’t so obsessed with me,” Omar said.
“It is ironic that just last night, he was on the stage moments before I was attacked, talking about me. And then when asked about my attack, he said, ‘I don’t think about her,’” she continued. “Does he not remember? Is he suffering from dementia?”
Updated at 11:32 p.m. EDT
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