A day after a syringe attack disrupted a Minneapolis town hall, Donald Trump publicly accused Rep. Ilhan Omar of staging the incident, offering no evidence to support the claim.
In a phone interview with ABC News, Trump dismissed the Minnesota Democrat and questioned the attack itself.
“I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud,” he said. “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.” Trump also said he had not watched video of the incident. “I haven’t seen it,” he said. “No, no. I hope I don’t have to bother.”
The attack occurred late January 27 during a town hall in Minneapolis. As Omar spoke, a man rushed toward the podium and sprayed her torso with an unknown liquid from a syringe. Witnesses said the man shouted as he approached, though his words were unclear. Omar had been calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be abolished and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to be impeached.
Minneapolis police identified the suspect as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, according to department spokesman Trevor Folke. Kazmierczak was arrested on assault charges. Law enforcement officials said there is no evidence supporting Trump’s claim that Omar staged the attack.
Omar was not injured and chose to continue the meeting despite pleas from attendees to stop. “Please don’t let them have the show,” she said, asking for a napkin. “We will continue … They are not going to get away with this.”
In a statement posted afterward, Omar said, “I’m ok. I’m a survivor, so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”
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