What we covered here
• Lawmaker attacked: Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance during a town hall in Minneapolis. She said the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities is antithetical to “the America we love.”
• Trump weighs in: President Donald Trump said he plans to “de-escalate” the situation in Minnesota, as the White House signaled new willingness to cooperate with the state’s Democratic elected officials.
• Gun laws: Trump said he does not believe Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal agents, was an “assassin,” contradicting his top administration officials. But he also said the ICU nurse shouldn’t have been carrying a gun, even though there is no law barring participation in a peaceful protest while carrying a concealed weapon.
Our live coverage has moved here.
Rep. Ilhan Omar says she will "survive intimidation" after spray attack
Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar, who was not injured in the attack, said that she has “survived war” and that she is “definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think that they can throw at me because I’m built that way.”
Officials at town hall describe shock of Rep. Omar attack, saying they were also hit with substance
Officials who attended the Tuesday evening town hall where US Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked with an unknown substance have expressed their concern over the incident.
State Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and Minneapolis City Council member LaTrisha Vetaw, who were sitting near Omar, said they were also hit with the substance.
“I want to share that I am okay, as is my staff who were present,” Champion said in a Facebook post late Tuesday. “To my knowledge, Congresswoman Omar is okay as well.”
The Democrat said the substance used in the attack came from a syringe, and was pink in color with a “strong, unpleasant odor.”
“I want to be honest: this was terrifying, and I am still shaken,” Vetaw said on Facebook.
Ecuador says an ICE agent tried to enter its consulate in Minneapolis
The Ecuadorian government said a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent attempted to enter its consulate in Minneapolis this morning, prompting it to send a formal protest note to US authorities.
The ministry added that it sent a protest note to the US Embassy in Ecuador “so that acts of this nature are not repeated at any of Ecuador’s consular offices in the United States.”
CNN has reached out to both the State Department and ICE for comment.
The Department of Homeland Security, which houses the immigration enforcement agencies, has defended its actions and maintains that agents act within the law.
Lawmakers and local officials condemn political violence after Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked
Politicians from across the political aisle condemned the attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar during a Tuesday town hall, with many calling it unacceptable.
Here’s what they said in statements on social media:
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: “I’m glad that Congresswoman Omar is safe. Our state has been shattered by political violence in the last year. The cruel, inflammatory, dehumanizing rhetoric by our nation’s leaders needs to stop immediately.”
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: “Unacceptable. Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk. I’m relieved Rep. Ilhan Omar is okay and appreciate MPD for responding quickly. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our city.”
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison: “The attack on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is unacceptable. I’m grateful she is safe, and I commend her strength in the face of hate and intimidation. No one should face violence for serving the public. Trump’s repeated attacks on Ilhan fuel this kind of danger, but she is a fighter and will not be intimidated out of doing the people’s work.”
- Republican Rep. Nancy Mace: “I am deeply disturbed to learn that Rep. Ilhan Omar was attacked at a town hall today. Regardless of how vehemently I disagree with her rhetoric - and I do - no elected official should face physical attacks. This is not who we are.”
- Republican Rep. Mike Lawler: “What happened at Rep. Ilhan Omar’s town hall is unacceptable. Period. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, this behavior has no place in our democracy and must be condemned.”
- Republican Rep. Mark Alford: “I condemn the assault on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in the strongest possible terms. This must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I disagree with her on almost everything politically and on policy. But these type of disagreements should NEVER result in assault.”
- Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer: “The attack on Rep. Omar tonight was a despicable act of political violence and intimidation. I am glad Rep. Omar is OK, and I thank USCP and local police for their quick action to apprehend the suspect.”
- Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “It is not a coincidence that after days of President Trump and VP Vance putting Rep. Omar in their crosshairs with slanderous public attacks, she gets assaulted at her town hall. Thank God she is okay. If they want leaders to take down the temp, they need to look in the mirror.”
- Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett: “I am disgusted and outraged by the attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar tonight while she was doing her job and meeting with constituents. Let’s be clear: nonstop hate and dangerous rhetoric from Trump and his allies has fueled this type of violence. I stand with Rep. Omar. I stand with Minnesota. This must stop.”
Man accused of attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar identified
The man accused of attacking Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar on Tuesday in Minneapolis has been identified as 55-year-old Anthony J. Kazmierczak, a Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson confirmed to CNN.
Kazmierczak has been booked by police for third-degree assault and is being held at the Hennepin County Jail, according to arrest records.
Minnesota court records do not yet list criminal charging records or attorney information for Kazmierczak.
Trump shrugs off video of Rep. Ilhan Omar being attacked, calls her a “fraud”
President Donald Trump dismissed questions from ABC News tonight on if he saw video of Rep. Ilhan Omar being attacked and sprayed with an unknown substance while she spoke at a town hall, saying he had no interest in watching the footage.
Pressed again on seeing the video, Trump said, “I haven’t seen it. No, no. I hope I don’t have to bother.”
Earlier: A man rushed the representative’s podium this evening in Minneapolis at her town hall. Omar was not injured in the attack.
Omar, a Somali immigrant who represents Minnesota, has been a frequent target of Trump, who recently referred to the Democratic congresswoman as “garbage,” saying Somalis should go back to where they came from.
CNN challenges former DHS official over Minnesota tensions
Here’s what former DHS official Chad Mizelle told CNN’s Jake Tapper after he was asked about the killing of Alex Pretti and First Amendment rights.
Attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar “did not happen in a vacuum,” says Muslim advocacy group
The attack on Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar tonight by a man who sprayed an unknown substance at her while she spoke during a town hall “did not happen in a vacuum,” the Council on American-Islamic Relations said.
The largest Muslim advocacy group in the US said in a statement that Omar has been “the frequent target of anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-Somali hate rhetoric.”
Omar is a Somali immigrant who represents Minnesota and has been a frequent target of President Donald Trump, who recently referred to the Democratic congresswoman as “garbage,” saying Somalis should go back to where they came from.
Capitol Police says Congress threat assessment cases climbed 58%, third increase in a row
The Tuesday attack on Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar comes on the same day that the United States Capitol Police, which is charged with safeguarding members of the Legislative branch, released new data for 2025 showing the number of threat assessment cases it opened last year has climbed for a third year in a row.
“In 2025, the USCP’s Threat Assessment Section (TAS) investigated 14,938 concerning statements, behaviors, and communications directed against Members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex,” the agency said.
That’s nearly a 58% jump from 2024, when the agency said it opened 9,474 threat assessments. In 2023, the agency opened 8,008 such cases.
“Members of Congress of both political parties receive a wide range of threats and concerning statements, which can be sent through the mail, e-mail, telephone, and social media,” the agency said in a statement. “Decreasing violent political rhetoric is one of the best ways to decrease the number of threats across the country.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar continued town hall after attack “because she doesn’t let bullies win,” office says
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar chose to continue her town hall tonight after being sprayed with an unknown substance by a man who rushed to her podium because “she doesn’t let bullies win,” according to a statement from her office.
Omar was uninjured in the attack, according to CNN affiliate KARE, which cited a police incident report. The man was charged with third-degree assault and was booked into Hennepin County Jail on the charge, the report said.
Police working to ensure person who sprayed Omar "faces the most serious charges possible"
The United States Capitol Police called tonight’s incident in Minneapolis — where a person sprayed Rep. Ilhan Omar with a substance during a town hall — “an unacceptable decision that will be met with swift justice.”
“We are grateful for the rapid response of onsite security and our local law enforcement partners. We are now working with our federal partners to see this man faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society,” the police said in a statement.
Key witness who recorded Pretti’s fatal shooting on her phone speaks out
CNN’s Anderson Cooper speaks to a woman who recorded the fatal encounter between Alex Pretti and federal officers. She describes in detail Pretti’s final moments.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper speaks to a woman who recorded the fatal encounter between Alex Pretti and federal officers. She describes in detail Pretti’s final moments.
GOP senator struggles to defend Noem’s rush to judgment in Pretti's killing and calls for probe
Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida struggled to defend Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem’s rush to judgment in the killing of Alex Pretti and called for a “thorough, independent investigation” into the fatal shooting of the Minneapolis man by federal agents.
Scott said the approach he took as Florida governor when handling mass shootings was to provide the public with “as much information as possible” and inform them that there’s an active investigation.
“Now, I’m not part of the administration, so I don’t know all the facts that they have, so it’s hard for me to criticize them. That’s the approach I took based on information I had when I was governor,” he said.
Asked if he has confidence in Noem, he replied, “Yeah, I think she’s working her butt off.”
He did not say what reforms – if any – he would accept for DHS. “So it’s a tough job,” he said. “So I think what we have to do is say, OK what can we do to improve? And I think that’s always something you should always look at.”
He also criticized protesters for what he said was impeding law enforcement during operations.
Man who sprayed unknown substance toward Rep. Ilhan Omar charged with 3rd-degree assault
The man who sprayed an unknown substance toward Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar after rushing to her podium while she made comments during a town hall tonight has been charged with third-degree assault, a police incident report said, according to CNN affiliate KARE.
The man, who used a syringe to spray the unknown substance near Omar, was immediately arrested by Minneapolis police officers and booked into Hennepin County Jail on the charge, KARE reported.
Omar was “uninjured and resumed speaking at the event,” the incident report says. City forensic scientists responded to process the scene, according to the report.
It was not clear what the substance was or whether it hit Omar, though a staffer could be heard over the microphone saying the man had sprayed her and she needed to “go get checked.”
Rep. Omar says she feels OK and won't be intimidated after being sprayed with substance at town hall
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar said she felt OK tonight after she was sprayed with a substance during a town hall in Minneapolis.
Omar went on to say that she has “survived war” and that she is “definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think that they can throw at me because I’m built that way.”
Walz: “Disheartening to see” Trump praise Noem
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said it’s “disheartening” to see President Donald Trump describe Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as “doing a great job.”
“I’m not sure there’s been anybody more incompetent or cruel that’s ever served in a cabinet position than her, and this is on her,” Walz told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
He said that while he appreciated the “tone shift” from the Trump administration on what is going on in Minneapolis, he is still calling for a return to normalcy and for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to leave the Twin Cities area.
“I’m not interested in a more efficient Metro Surge. I’m ready for them to get out of here,” the governor said.
He called for transparency from DHS officials.
“Minnesotans believe in law and order, Minnesotans believe that we should have border control, Minnesotans believe in due process, though, and Minnesotans want to know if you say you’re going to get the ‘worst of the worst,’ quit lying about who you’re arresting tell us who you’re arresting,” Walz said.
Man sprays unknown substance at Rep. Ilhan Omar during town hall
A man attacked Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar tonight, spraying an unknown substance with a strong odor toward her, just seconds after the Democratic congresswoman called for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign and urged the abolishment of ICE.
Audience members of the town hall meeting with local and state officials started to clap as she made her remarks. Then the man rushed her podium, yelling at the congresswoman and appearing to spray the substance through a syringe at her.
It was not clear what the substance was or whether it hit Omar, though a staffer could be heard over the microphone saying the man had sprayed her and she needed to “go get checked.”
Omar’s security detail took the man out of the room, and he was taken into police custody, according to a CNN team at the scene. After speaking to personnel, Omar continued her town hall. The congresswoman was heard saying, “These f**king a**holes will not get away with it.”
After the incident, Omar said she was going to “keep talking,” adding: “Please don’t let that have the show.”
This post was updated with more details from the town hall.
Senate Democrats and GOP at sharp odds over whether to change funding package to target ICE
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons said today that it will be “very hard” for Congress to avoid a partial government shutdown as Senate Republicans and Democrats are at an impasse over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
“I think it’s going to be very hard for us to avoid a shutdown. It’s my hope that we can, and we will, but that’s going to begin with earnest negotiations between (John) Thune and (Chuck) Schumer today or tomorrow,” Coons told CNN’s Manu Raju.
Senate Democrats are vowing to block a government spending package unless several reforms are made to DHS or for DHS funding to be spun off separately — changes that would require another vote in the House. Senate Republicans, however, want to avoid amending the spending bill and hope that Trump administration actions could suffice to stave off a shutdown.
Alabama Republican Katie Britt, who sits on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, told CNN she believes “the best-case scenario is us figure out something outside of the structure of the bill.”
“The structure of the bill actually provides incredible safeguards and a lot of progress particularly if we look back at what a [continuing resolution] would give us versus some of the strides that we made within this bill,” Britt said.
“I think in addition to that, you know, we’re looking at a looming government shutdown. I think all of us saw what that did to America, to hard working people from coast to coast, and certainly don’t want to go back down that path again.”
But Coons said he doesn’t believe administrative actions “only” are going to be enough.
“Republicans need to respect and see that this tragedy in Minneapolis deserves action. It deserves a change in policy that almost certainly needs to be more than just administrative action,” he said.
Republican senators raise concerns over immigration enforcement tactics
GOP senators are raising concerns over federal immigration enforcement tactics after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this weekend. They are not saying if they have confidence in Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s ability to lead her department.
Here’s what some senators are saying:
Senate Majority Leader John Thune: Noem “serves at the pleasure of the president,” he said. “The important thing is that the president’s got confidence in his team.”
Sen. Mike Rounds: “I think the secretary of Homeland Security serves at the pleasure of the president. It will be up to the president.”
Sen. Josh Hawley: “I defer to the president on that. That’s his call,” the Missouri Republican said, adding the video of the shooting is “terrible” and an “investigation is absolutely warranted.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy:“I have confidence in the investigation,” he said. Cassidy is facing a difficult primary in Louisiana against an opponent backed by President Donald Trump.
Sen. James Lankford: While noting that he would not use Noem’s language to describe Pretti, he said, “Yeah, I don’t call him domestic terrorist.” He also said Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be professional in the field despite the hard situation, and spoke in favor of body cameras on agents. “They have the dollars they need to be able to do it. So, the body-worn cameras should be there, that defends both the officer and provides basic accountability.”
Sen. Steve Daines: He criticized Noem’s comments about Pretti. “In a situation like that, caution is better until you see all the facts before you make independent statements,” he said, adding, “It’s hard to watch that video and not see that you need to have a thorough investigation on what the facts are.”
Sen. Rand Paul: “So far, we have a lot of things that have been said that just, frankly, don’t jive with the facts or with the video,” he said about ICE tactics.
Other senators defended Noem and ICE’s tactics in the field:
Sen. Markwayne Mullin: He said he “absolutely” has confidence in Noem, though he claimed he hasn’t “had time” to see the viral videos of Pretti’s death.
Sen. John Cornyn: Pretti “should not have interfered with the operation,” he said. adding ICE is “doing the job we’ve asked them to do, which is enforce immigration law.” Cornyn is also facing a tough primary in Texas.
