US immigration agents have searched the home of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar as part of a criminal investigation. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant for the property in the Washington DC area, according to a US Justice Department spokesperson. The search is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, but no further details were provided. It is currently unclear if Omar was at home during the search, as the US Congress is out of session.
Omar, a Democrat and critic of President Donald Trump, characterized the search as an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement. "For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns," Omar stated. "This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced."
Trump responded to the search by stating he had "nothing to do" with the Justice Department's investigation into Omar, labeling her a "complainer" and a "terrible person." He made remarks about her background, saying, "She comes from a country that is a non-country. And then she comes over here and she complains about our Constitution."
Omar's communications director, Jacklyn Rogers, described the raid as "an outrageous abuse of power" by the Trump administration, asserting that the Congresswoman has done nothing wrong. The specific nature of the criminal investigation remains unclear, but a BBC crew observed several agents at Omar's home, some carrying boxes to a van.
Fox News first reported the search, suggesting it relates to immigration paperwork filed by Omar's late father when she was a child. The timing of the raid, occurring 22 days before the November midterm elections, has raised concerns among Omar's fellow Democrats. The Justice Department has a policy against enforcement actions that could influence elections.
The Democratic Party leadership in the US House of Representatives stated that Omar has long faced personal attacks and accusations from Trump. They expressed concern over the timing of the investigation, stating, "Now, less than 30 days until the midterm election, his violent mass deportation machine has descended upon the home of a duly elected Member of Congress and her family."
Omar's immigration records have been scrutinized by Republicans in the past. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina attempted to file a subpoena for her records. Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made allegations of marital fraud against Omar, while White House border tsar Tom Homan indicated that she was being investigated for unspecified immigration violations. Omar has denied these allegations, calling the investigations "complete shams."
Trump has previously suggested that Omar should be deported and has made comments about the Somali-American community in Minnesota. Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer stated, "Nobody is above the law. We look forward to learning more details about this raid and investigation. ACCOUNTABILITY IS COMING!"
Omar is the first Somali American elected to the US House and represents a district in the Minneapolis area. She and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib were the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Omar won re-election two years ago with 74% of the vote. Minnesota political leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Senator Tina Smith, have criticized the search, with Walz stating, "Americans see this for what it is - President Trump is abusing his power to go after political opponents weeks before an election," and Smith calling it "a transparent attempt to interfere in our elections."