Kari Lake Describes Attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar as ‘Suspicious,’ Calls for Immediate Deportation

Kari Lake, acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, has cast doubt on a recent liquid-spraying attack at a Minneapolis town hall targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

During an interview, Lake described the incident as “suspicious” and stated no elected official should be attacked. She remarked, “I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, OK?” when asked about the episode where Omar was sprayed with liquid. Lake added, “Something smelled funny about that whole thing … it seems suspicious.”

Lake referenced the Jussie Smollett case, stating she heard others describe the incident as a “Jussie Smollett moment” and noted, “I have to admit, it seems suspicious.” In January 2019, actor Jussie Smollett reported being attacked by two men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs and placed a rope around his neck. Prosecutors later determined the attack was staged, though Smollett was convicted in 2021 for making a false report; the Illinois Supreme Court overturned that conviction in 2024 due to procedural concerns.

Lake posed questions about whether Omar filed an FBI report, sought legal action against the attacker, or received follow-up. Minneapolis police initially described the liquid as “unknown” but confirmed it was apple cider vinegar after Wednesday’s investigation. Officers observed a man using a syringe to spray the substance at Omar, then arrested and booked him on suspicion of third-degree assault. Police identified the suspect as Anthony Kazmierczak, 55.

Lake emphasized she would expect immediate police and security response if someone squirted an unknown substance at her, saying, “What was the substance? And it just didn’t seem right.” She criticized Minnesota’s handling of the situation, stating, “The fraud is breathtaking in Minnesota” and noting Omar had “not spoken out” about the incident. Lake added, “We are sick of paying taxes and having our tax dollars robbed,” asserting that if Omar lied on any matter, she would demand immediate deportation.

Federal authorities have intensified operations in Minnesota to investigate alleged fraud at Somali-run child care centers following claims some improperly collected public funds.