Rep. Ilhan Omar Calls Trump 'Obsessed' and Suggests He Has 'Dementia'

Omar's comments come after a man sprayed her with an unknown substance, which she tied to Trump's rhetoric about her.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, blasted President Donald Trump on Wednesday, suggesting he has "dementia" and is "obsessed" with her. Omar's comments came in the wake of an attack on her on January 27, where a man sprayed her with an unknown substance. Omar tied the attack to negative comments the president had made about her.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Omar and Trump, as well as the broader issue of political rhetoric and its potential impact on public safety. Omar has been a frequent target of criticism from Trump, and she has suggested that his comments have led to an increase in death threats against her.

The details

On January 27, a 55-year-old man named Anthony Kazmierczak rushed Omar and sprayed her with an unknown substance before being arrested. Omar said she was unhurt. In response, Omar suggested that Trump's comments about her, including calling her a "fraud," have directly led to an increase in death threats against her. She also accused Trump of being "obsessed" with her and questioned whether he is "suffering from dementia."

  • On January 27, 2026, a man sprayed Rep. Ilhan Omar with an unknown substance.
  • On January 28, 2026, Omar held a news conference to address the attack and criticize President Trump.

The players

Ilhan Omar

A U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 5th congressional district and a member of the Democratic Party.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has frequently criticized Rep. Omar.

Anthony Kazmierczak

A 55-year-old man who was arrested for spraying Rep. Omar with an unknown substance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Last night, the man that attacked me was specifically upset that Trump's order to deport Somalis was not yielding enough deportations of Somalis. So he wanted to come get the person he thought was protecting the Somalis.”

— Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative

“Is he suffering from dementia?”

— Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative

“I don't think about her. I think she's a fraud... She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

— Donald Trump (usatoday.com)

What’s next

It remains to be seen how the federal government will respond to the backlash over its immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Rep. Omar and President Trump, as well as the potential consequences of divisive political rhetoric. It also raises questions about the role of federal immigration authorities and their impact on local communities.