The Department of Justice has charged a man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Democratic US Rep.Ilhan Omarat an event in Minneapolis, according to court papers made public Thursday.

The manwas arrested for the attack on TuesdayAnthony Kazmierczak, faces charges of assault, battery, obstruction and intimidation against Omar, according to a complaint filed in federal court.

Authorities determined the substance was water and apple cider vinegar, according to an affidavit. After Kazmierczak sprayed Omar with the liquid, he appeared to say, “He’s not going to resign. You’re alienating Minnesotans,” the affidavit said. Authorities also said Kazmierczak told a close associate several years ago that Omar “should be killed,” court documents said.

It was unclear if Kazmierczak had an attorney available to comment on the allegations. A message was left with the Minnesota federal defender’s office.

The attack occurred during a tense political season in Minneapolis, wheretwo people were killedby federal agents during the White House’s aggressive immigration crackdown.

Kazmierczak has a criminal history and has made online posts supporting President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Omar,a refugee from Somaliahas long been a fixture of Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. After he was elected seven years ago, Trump said he had to“back” to his country. He recentlyHe was described as “garbage”and said that he should be investigated. During a speech in Iowa earlier this week, before Omar was attacked, he said immigrants should be proud of the United States — “unlike Ilhan Omar.”

Omar blamed Trump on Wednesday for threats to his safety.

“Every time the president of the United States chooses to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community I represent, my death threats increase,” Omar told reporters.

Trump accused Omar of the attack, telling ABC News, “He probably sprayed himself, he knows.”

Kazmierczak was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989, has been arrested several times for driving under the influence and has numerous traffic citations, Minnesota court records show. There were also signs that he had more financial problems, including two bankruptcy filings.

In social media posts, Kazmierczak criticized former President Joe Biden and called Democrats “angry and liars.” “Trump wants the US to be stronger and more prosperous,” he wrote. “Stop other countries from stealing from us.”

In another post, Kazmierczak asked, “When will the descendants of slaves pay the families of Union soldiers for freeing them/dying for them, and not sending them back to Africa?”

Threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years, peaking in 2021 following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol bya crowd of Trump supportersbefore dipping slightly, only to rise again, according to the latest numbers from the US Capitol Police.

Officials said they investigated nearly 15,000 “statements, conduct, and communications directed against Members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex” in 2025.

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Richer reports from Washington.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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