The person who allegedly attacked Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar throughout a city corridor Tuesday evening was not on Capitol Police’s radar previous to the assault, Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan informed CNN in an interview Wednesday.
The person, Anthony J. Kazmierczak, 55, was rapidly arrested after being restrained by Omar’s non-public safety and booked by police on a third-degree assault cost.
“We’re working with the FBI and the US legal professional to see if we will place federal prices,” Sullivan stated, including that Kazmierczak has confronted misdemeanor prices prior to now, although none have been associated to actions towards members of Congress.
Sullivan stated native police have been on the scene due to an settlement struck with Capitol Police to help in members’ safety – a transfer Sullivan stated was essential for lawmakers’ security as they journey across the nation.
The problem of retaining members of Congress protected exterior of the nation’s capital faces important challenges for the Capitol Police, in line with Sullivan, which in 2024 alone tracked and reviewed greater than 14,000 probably threatening messages towards lawmakers and Capitol workers.
One officer, Sullivan stated, may evaluation tons of of statements or communications made towards lawmakers in a single day.
When requested if Congresswoman Omar would obtain further safety from Capitol Police themselves, Sullivan stated they conduct “a radical risk evaluation” to guage the right subsequent steps however declined to remark additional.
“Clearly we’re not going to debate particular person security plans,” Sullivan stated. “However that’s in coordination with the Sergeant at Arms workplace and our places of work, after which actually taking a radical risk evaluation to see what’s greatest” for every particular person scenario.
