Anthony James Kazmierczak, the man accused of spraying Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) with apple cider vinegar during a January town hall, has agreed to change his plea to guilty. The federal court filing indicates Kazmierczak will plead guilty on May 7, following a settlement with prosecutors. The details of the agreement remain undisclosed.
Kazmierczak was initially charged with one count of assaulting a U.S. officer after the January 27 incident, where he rushed the stage and attempted to spray Omar with a syringe containing vinegar and water. Video footage shows him shouting, "She’s not resigning," referring to Secretary Kristi Noem, and "You’re splitting Minnesotans apart" before being tackled by security. Omar was unharmed and continued the town hall, later stating she was not intimidated by the attack.
Background details reveal Kazmierczak had previously made threatening comments about Omar, including allegedly telling an associate years earlier that "somebody should kill" her. He also reportedly hinted at potential arrest in a text to a neighbor before attending Omar’s event. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between federal officials and Democratic leaders in Minnesota, following the death of Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE agent. Democratic leadership had called for federal agents to leave the state.
Kazmierczak has remained in custody since his arrest. His attorney, John Fossum, confirmed the plea change but declined further comment. The case is scheduled for a May 7 hearing in U.S. District Court in St. Paul.