Federal investigators have searched the home of Ilhan Omar, a Democratic Congresswoman and fierce critic of US President Donald Trump. The search took place yesterday, Monday morning, at her residence in the Washington, D.C. area.
The US Department of Justice stated that a court-authorized search warrant was executed as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
In a social media post following the search, Ilhan Omar alleged that the Trump administration is seeking to target political opponents and use law enforcement agencies for political gain.
She stated that Trump has targeted her for years with baseless accusations and smear campaigns, but asserted that she would not be silenced.
A Department of Justice spokesperson said, “Homeland Security Investigations executed a court-authorized search warrant today in the Washington, D.C. area. This operation is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
The specific details of the search warrant remain unclear. Ilhan Omar’s office did not respond to requests for comment. The White House and the Department of Homeland Security referred inquiries to the Department of Justice.
However, citing two individuals familiar with the investigation, Fox News reported that the search was conducted as part of a probe into allegations of fraud regarding Ilhan Omar’s immigration documents. The report noted that these documents had been filled out by her late father when she was a child.
A video released by Fox News showed individuals wearing jackets marked “Homeland Security Investigations.”
The news outlet reported that the video was filmed at Ilhan Omar’s Washington, D.C. home.
When asked by reporters about the search on Monday, Trump stated that he had no connection to the matter, noting that the investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice. Trump said, “I understand she is being scrutinized very carefully. Personally, I have always considered her to be completely dishonest. However, I have no connection to this matter.”
Trump and his close allies have long alleged fraud regarding the immigration history of Ilhan Omar and her family. They have even publicly called for the revocation of her U.S. citizenship and her deportation from the country. However, no evidence has been presented to substantiate these allegations so far.
Ilhan Omar has consistently denied these accusations. Nevertheless, Trump has repeatedly attacked her, bringing the issue into the national spotlight. In 2019, Ilhan Omar and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib made history as the first two Muslim women to serve in the U.S. Congress.
This investigation could spark fresh controversy amidst allegations that Trump is using the government for political retribution against his critics during his second term. Accusations of politically motivated government action could intensify, particularly given that the raid on an elected congresswoman’s home is taking place just three weeks before crucial midterm elections.
Trump and officials within his administration had been hinting at an investigation into Ilhan Omar for some time. Last Saturday, after attacking Omar by name at a campaign rally, Trump remarked, “Let’s see what happens.”
He added that Vice President J.D. Vance and members of his administration were looking into the matter seriously.
Officials in the Trump administration have been speaking about an investigation into Ilhan Omar for several months. Last December, Trump alleged that Ilhan Omar had married her own brother and demanded her deportation based on this claim.
The long-circulating allegation claims that Ilhan Omar married her former husband to help him secure immigration documents and that the man was actually her brother; however, no evidence has ever been established to support this claim.
A few days later, Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border chief, stated that they were gathering documentation regarding Ilhan Omar. He stated that a fraud investigator from Homeland Security Investigations would look into the matter. This agency is a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and has historically handled such investigations.
In an interview last March with right-wing media personality Benny Johnson, Vance said, “We actually believe Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud.”
He also mentioned having recently discussed potential remedial actions regarding this matter with Stephen Miller, a top aide to Trump.
In an interview with Johnson last month, U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin also stated that an investigation into Ilhan Omar is underway and that “something will happen” regarding the issue.
Mullin alleged, “We know she married her brother to bring him to the United States. We know that individual now lives in London. We believe there may be more involved in the entire family immigration matter. There could have been illegal activities surrounding their initial arrival in the U.S. However, we are all investigating the matter.”
Shortly thereafter, Homan stated that he could not comment on the ongoing criminal investigation.
He said, “Homeland Security Investigations will be allowed to continue their inquiry.”
Following the search on Monday, Ilhan Omar wrote in a social media post, “I am fine. Let us not forget—this is an attempt to target political enemies and use federal law enforcement agencies for political gain.”
She further stated that Trump has targeted her for years through baseless lies and propaganda.
In her words, “This is the latest move in a campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced.”
Ilhan Omar has long denied various allegations spread by Trump and others, including the claim that her former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, was actually her brother.
It was alleged that their marriage was entered into for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits. Immigration fraud is a serious crime in the United States; there is a five-year statute of limitations for this offense. Ilhan Omar and Elmi formally divorced in 2017, several years after separating according to religious rites.
Last month, the New York Post, citing an unnamed “senior immigration official,” reported that the Trump administration could initiate proceedings to revoke Omar’s citizenship if sufficient evidence emerged that she or her father had provided false information in immigration applications.
The report also raised questions regarding Ilhan Omar’s age, suggesting that authorities might investigate whether she was older than the 17 years stated in documents at the time she obtained citizenship. This matter could be significant because she acquired citizenship through her parents. The report noted that Ilhan Omar’s father had identified himself as an educator, though claims were also made—upon his death—that he had served in the military.
Omar is one of the most prominent Somali-Americans in the United States. For years, she has faced racist attacks from Trump and his supporters.
On Monday, while campaigning in Youngstown, Ohio, Trump stated that Ilhan Omar came from “one of the worst countries in the world.” He then made derogatory remarks about the situation in Somalia. At that moment, the crowd at the rally chanted, “Send her back.”
Last week, Trump wrote on social media that Minnesota was “being taken over by Somali immigrants.” Yet, the vast majority of the state’s Somali-Americans are U.S. citizens.
Trump further wrote, “What the Somalis are doing should not be allowed.” At the same time, he called upon supporters in the state to “fight back.”
During Trump’s second term, Somali-Americans have faced regular disparaging remarks from the White House. Last December, labeling them “garbage,” Trump stated that they “come from hell, complain, and just hurl insults.”
He added, “They should go back to where they came from and solve their own problems.”
