Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown substance during town hall

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar faced a disturbing interruption during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday after a man sprayed an unidentified substance in her direction, prompting swift action from security personnel. The incident unfolded in full view of attendees and underscored the increasingly volatile atmosphere surrounding public political events in the United States.

The disruption occurred while Omar was delivering remarks on immigration enforcement and sharply criticising the Department of Homeland Security over its handling of a recent fatal shooting involving an intensive care nurse.

Moments before the incident, Omar had reiterated her long-held position calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She also demanded the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, arguing that the agency was beyond reform, as per a report on AP.