The man accused of attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., with a substance at a town hall in Minneapolis last week was ordered Tuesday to be detained on probable cause.
Anthony Kazmierczak, 56, faces a count of forcibly assaulting and interfering with Omar while she was engaged in official duties in connection with the incident Jan. 27.
Minnesota District Judge David T. Schultz ruled Tuesday that Kazmierczak must remain in custody after he determined that Kazmierczak was likely to have committed a felony. Kazmierczak was held in federal custody pending Tuesday’s detention hearing.
An attorney for Kazmierczak told NBC News that if circumstances change, "we may go back and move for reconsideration."
Federal prosecutors alleged that Kazmierczak was seen on video approaching Omar as she addressed constituents and ejecting a liquid, which Omar's office later determined to be apple cider vinegar, from a syringe on her. The liquid "stained her clothes and may have reached her face and right eye," according to the criminal affidavit.
Kazmierczak had previously threatened Omar and told a close associate years ago, "Somebody should kill that b----," according to the affidavit.
Omar had just called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when she was attacked, echoing the sentiments of many Democrats since federal immigration officers fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which is in Omar's congressional district.
The FBI alleges that Kazmierczak, who attended the town hall, stood up and approached Omar and appeared to say “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart” after he sprayed her.
The attack seemed to escalate a back-and-forth between Omar and President Donald Trump, in which she blamed the attack on his frequent verbal attacks against her. Omar and Trump had been exchanging comments since an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Good in Minneapolis.
Trump said without providing evidence that she "probably had herself sprayed, knowing her," ABC News reported.
