- Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's home in a criminal probe.
- The Justice Department said Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, but did not specify that the warrant was related to Omar.
- Omar called the search 'an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement,' adding that over the last decade, President Donald Trump 'has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns.'
- Trump told reporters he had 'nothing to do with it,' adding that investigators were 'looking at her very carefully,' and said, 'I’ve always found her to be totally crooked, personally.'
- House Democratic leaders called the search 'deeply disturbing' and vowed to 'deliver full accountability for the rogue abuse of power from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice.'
- The search occurred 22 days before the midterm elections, raising scrutiny under a long-standing Justice Department practice to be careful about actions near an election that could appear to help or hurt a candidate.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Rep. Ilhan Omar's home in Washington, D.C., on Monday, part of a yearslong criminal investigation involving immigration and fraud, according to sources. The Justice Department confirmed the search was part of an ongoing federal investigation, but did not specify its connection to Omar.123491011
Omar condemned the search as politically motivated, stating it is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement. She accused former President Donald Trump of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against her, saying, “I will not be silenced.”56
Trump responded, claiming he had “nothing to do with it,” but described Omar as “totally crooked” and a “terrible person.” House Democratic leaders expressed their concern, calling the search “deeply disturbing” and indicative of the “corrupt weaponization” of federal agencies against Trump’s adversaries. They vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the alleged abuse of power.78
The timing of the search, just 22 days before the midterm elections, raises questions about the Justice Department's practices regarding investigations close to elections. While there is no formal rule against such actions, longstanding practices advise caution to avoid influencing electoral outcomes.
Omar, who fled Somalia's civil war as a child, is currently running for re-election in Minnesota.
“The search occurred 22 days before the midterm elections, raising scrutiny under a long-standing Justice Department practice to be careful about actions near an election. House Democratic leaders called the search 'deeply disturbing' and vowed to 'deliver full accountability for the rogue abuse of power from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice.'”
