Federal authorities, investigating Minnesota U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, have seized her phone and issued numerous grand jury subpoenas, including some targeting her relatives. This move intensifies a probe into her immigration paperwork. President Donald Trump has revived his attacks on her citizenship ahead of the midterm elections.
Investigation Details
These actions followed a search of Omar’s Washington, D.C.-area home by federal agents. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed a separate investigation into Omar’s financial disclosures. The Department of Justice confirmed that the October 12 search was part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.
Grand jury subpoenas were issued in Minnesota as part of the federal investigation. Potential fraud in Omar’s immigration paperwork is a primary focus. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin indicated a look into possible crimes related to her family immigration records.
Omar faces no public charges related to these matters. Pirro mentioned ongoing investigations and stated that prosecution would follow if any crime is confirmed.
Trump’s Renewed Attacks
Amid these investigations, Trump renewed his attacks on Omar, questioning her background and immigration history. At a rally in Ohio, he criticized her Somali origins and suggested she lacked Constitutional rights. He later refrained from calling for her deportation.
Omar, a naturalized citizen since 2000, represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District and is up for reelection. Allegations have surfaced that she married her brother to facilitate his entry into the U.S., claims she denies.
Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley explained the potential for denaturalization if false information is proven in granting citizenship, though the proof standard is high.
Omar’s Response
Omar decried the search as political intimidation. She accused the Trump administration of exploiting federal law enforcement to target opponents.
“Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement,” Omar stated on X.
The timing of the raid, under three weeks before midterm elections, attracted condemnation from top Democrats. They labeled the raid as an intimidation tactic against a sitting Congress member.