Ilhan Omar says ‘intimidation’ won’t silence her after spray incident: ‘Fear doesn’t work on me’

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Ilhan Omar said on Wednesday, January 28, at the Karmel Mall, "Fear and intimidation doesn't work on me," affirming that she would continue her work despite threats. 

The day before, Omar was in the middle of delivering a speech when a man sprayed her with an unknown liquid. The suspect was quickly tackled by officials and taken into custody. Despite the attack, she refused to leave the podium and completed her address with composure.

During the speech, she criticized the immigration policies and actions of federal agents under the Trump administration. The attack occurred in front of the crowd just as she mentioned Kristi Noem's resignation.

Ilhan Omar says intimidation will not stop her after attack

As per Fox News 9, the Minnesota lawmaker was asked whether Tuesday night’s incident on January 27 might spark fear about attending future public events. Omar responded firmly, making it clear that threats and ‘intimidation’ will not deter her from public service.

"I think my presence here should tell you that fear and intimidation don’t work on me. The president’s rhetoric, the attacks from him since I’ve gotten into public office has always been to stop me from being in public service," Omar said. "To intimidate me, to make me want to quit, and my only message is it hasn’t worked thus far, and it’s not going to work in the future."

Omar was in the middle of delivering her speech when the attack occurred. The man responsible was quickly tackled by officials and arrested. Despite the attack, she refused to leave the podium and finished her speech with composure.

In her remarks, she criticized the immigration policies and actions of federal agents under the Trump administration and called for the resignation or impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. It was when she mentioned Noem that the liquid was sprayed.

Ilhan Omar sprayed with an unknown liquid during town hall

Ilhan Omar was speaking at a town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday night, January 27, when a man rushed toward her and sprayed an unknown liquid from a syringe. Security quickly tackled the man, and he was arrested. Omar was not seriously hurt.

After a brief pause, she remained at the podium and continued her speech, addressing immigration issues and federal policies. Witnesses noted that the liquid had a strong odor, but Omar calmly finished her remarks. The suspect was later taken into police custody.