Man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Omar is charged with assaulting and intimidating her
apnews.com
The Justice Department has charged a man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at an event in Minneapolis.

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

The man arrested for Tuesday’s attack, Anthony Kazmierczak, faces a charge of forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating Omar, according to a complaint filed in federal court.

Authorities determined that the substance was water and apple cider vinegar, according to an affidavit. After Kazmierczak sprayed Omar with the liquid, he appeared to say, “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart,” the affidavit says. Authorities also say that Kazmierczak told a close associate several years ago that “somebody should kill” Omar, court documents say.

Kazmierczak has a criminal history and has made online posts supportive of Donald Trump, a Republican.

  • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    12 hours ago

    It was identified as something harmless. Terrorism is the use of deadly violence on soft, civilian targets. Generally, assaults on political leaders are considered something else. Terrorism is the continued threat of future deadly violence, not of squirting vinegar on people.

    If the prosecutors could prove he thought it was something more dangerous, he can be charged. The point of laws is deterrance, and if they do not charge him with a significant crime, then the next person will use more concentrated acid.

    If you point a gun at someone unloaded, it’s the same as pointing a loaded gun if you thought the gun was loaded.