Ilhan Omar Blames Trump Rhetoric After Town Hall Spray Attack

Rep. Ilhan Omar said Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s immigration rhetoric has helped create an atmosphere in which “right-wing grifters” feel emboldened to “terrorize” Minnesota’s Somali community, speaking one day after she was attacked during a town hall event.

Omar was ambushed Tuesday evening by a man who shouted at her and sprayed an unknown substance during the event. The suspect was tackled by security and arrested. Omar was not injured and continued with the meeting.

Speaking at a press conference at Karmel Mall, a predominantly Somali shopping centre in her Minneapolis district, Omar criticised the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown under “Operation Metro Surge,” which has seen a heavy federal law-enforcement presence in the city.

“Karmel 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,” Omar said. “Community members are afraid to go out as a result of the occupation in our city by ICE.”

She added that Trump’s language on immigration had contributed to rising tensions. “Not only is the federal occupation hurting businesses, the president’s reprehensible rhetoric has let right-wing grifters show up here to terrorize our community. It is indefensible,” she said.

Minneapolis police identified the suspect as Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, who was booked on a third-degree assault charge. Court records show Kazmierczak has a lengthy criminal history. A review of his social media activity indicates support for Trump and conservative causes.

According to the Associated Press, Kazmierczak has posted harsh criticism of Democrats and former President Joe Biden, while expressing strong pro-Trump views on immigration and national security.

Omar also suggested that Trump’s repeated public attacks on her have contributed to threats against her safety. She said she would not require heightened security “if Donald Trump wasn’t in office and if he wasn’t so obsessed with me.”

Referring to Trump’s comments about her shortly before the attack, Omar added: “When asked about my attack, he said, ‘I don’t think about her.’ Does he not remember? Is he suffering from dementia?”

Key Takeaways

• Rep. Ilhan Omar blamed President Trump’s immigration rhetoric for creating an environment that emboldens attacks on Minnesota’s Somali community.

• Her remarks came a day after she was sprayed with an unknown substance during a town hall; the suspect, a Trump supporter with a criminal record, was arrested.

• Omar said ICE’s “Operation Metro Surge” has hurt local Somali businesses and left residents fearful.

• She claimed Trump’s repeated public attacks on her have directly increased threats to her safety.

SOURCE: THE HILL

Strange. They don't like it when they're on the receiving end.

But it's okay when their side does it.