The man accused of attacking Congresswoman Ilhan Omar with a syringe is 55-year-old Anthony “Andy” Kazmierczak. Arrested for third-degree assault, he has a long history of legal and financial troubles. His past includes several convictions for drunk driving and two bankruptcy filings.
Kazmierczak is a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. Interestingly, his personal life contrasts sharply with his political views. He has two adult children who identify as queer and transgender. While they are active in progressive causes, such as protesting gun violence, Kazmierczak has frequently used social media to criticize Democratic leaders.
Friends and neighbors describe Kazmierczak as a man struggling with significant health issues. He has Parkinson’s Disease and suffered a spinal injury in a car accident. These conditions reportedly left him heavily medicated and physically limited before the incident.
The attack was not a spontaneous act. Kazmierczak reportedly sent a text to a neighbor before the town hall, warning that he “might get arrested.” During the event, he lunged at Omar and sprayed her with a vinegar-scented liquid while shouting that she was “tearing Minnesota apart.”
The incident occurred during a period of high tension in Minneapolis over federal immigration enforcement. While the attack has been widely condemned, President Trump dismissed the event, suggesting the encounter might have been staged. Omar has stated she remains unintimidated and will continue her work.