Ilhan Omar Home Searched by Federal Agents in Criminal Probe Ahead of Midterms/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Federal agents searched Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home Monday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, the Justice Department confirmed. Authorities did not disclose the investigation’s nature or scope, and the search came weeks before Omar’s reelection vote. Trump and Vance have repeatedly targeted the congresswoman, who has denied their past allegations of immigration fraud.
Quick Look
- Search confirmed: Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a judicially authorized warrant.
- Details undisclosed: The nature and scope of the criminal investigation remained unclear.
- Election timing: Omar is seeking reelection in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District next month.
- Official response: The Justice Department confirmed an ongoing investigation but provided no further details.
- Past allegations: Vance has accused Omar of immigration fraud without presenting evidence in the cited interview.
- Omar’s position: She and her office have rejected previous accusations as false and defamatory.
- Comment requested: AP contacted an Omar representative about Monday’s search.
Deep Look
Federal Agents Execute Search Warrant at Omar’s Home
WASHINGTON — Federal agents searched the home of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar on Monday in an escalation of an ongoing criminal investigation whose focus remained undisclosed.
Two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted the search. They spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.
The Justice Department subsequently confirmed that HSI agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant obtained by the department in the Washington, D.C., area.
“This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation,” the department said.
Authorities provided no further information about the investigation’s nature or scope.
Omar said she will “not be silenced” and called the search of her home the “latest escalation” in President Donald Trump’s ‘‘intimidation” campaign.
The street was blocked Monday morning while agents remained near the home. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson referred questions to the Justice Department.
AP sent an email seeking comment from an Omar representative.
Search Comes Weeks Before Omar’s Reelection Vote
Omar is on the ballot in next month’s midterm elections, placing the search in the final weeks of her reelection campaign.
Longstanding Justice Department protocol cautions against overt investigative actions shortly before elections that could influence public opinion.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin had said last month that there was an “ongoing investigation” and that “something’s going to happen.”
The information released Monday did not establish whether the search concerned the immigration allegations previously made by administration officials.
Trump and Vance Have Repeatedly Targeted Omar
President Donald Trump and senior Republicans have frequently criticized Omar’s immigrant background and progressive political positions.
At a Tennessee rally over the weekend, Trump attacked her upbringing and suggested that Vice President JD Vance “and our people” were investigating her.
Vance has previously accused Omar of immigration fraud, which she has denied. He has also discussed efforts with a senior White House official to determine how an investigation could proceed.
Omar’s Congressional Career Has Drawn Sustained Republican Opposition
First elected in 2018, Omar represents Minnesota’s 5th District, which includes Minneapolis.
She belongs to the progressive group of lawmakers known as The Squad and was one of the first two Muslim-American women elected to the House.
She was also the first African refugee elected to Congress.
Republicans removed Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee after taking control of the chamber in 2023, citing her remarks about Israel.
In January, Trump criticized her at an Iowa rally hours before a man sprayed her with vinegar during a Minneapolis town hall.
The assailant was recently sentenced to 14 months in prison.
Vance’s Earlier Immigration Claims Remain Disputed
Republicans have questioned Omar’s personal history since before her election to Congress, including allegations that she married her brother and committed immigration fraud.
Omar has broadly rejected those accusations as “disgusting lies.”
Speaking to reporters in May, Vance said:
“It certainly seems like something fishy is there, but everybody’s entitled to equal justice under the laws.”
“So we’re going to investigate it. We’re going to take a look at it. If we think there’s a crime, we’re going to prosecute that crime.”
In a separate interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, Vance asserted, without providing evidence, that “we actually think that Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America.”
He said he and deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller had discussed the matter and were “trying to look at what the remedies are.”
“That’s the thing that we’re trying to figure out,” Vance said. “What are the legal remedies now that we know that she’s committed immigration fraud. How do you go after her? How do you investigate her? How do you actually do the thing? How do you build the case necessary to get some, some, some justice for the American people?”
Those statements were allegations by Vance, not findings disclosed in Monday’s announcement.
“For years, Donald Trump and far-right extremists have relentlessly targeted Congresswoman Omar with vile personal attacks and baseless accusations,” top House Democratic leaders said in a statement. “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 Office Previously Called Accusations False and Defamatory
Omar’s office rejected Vance’s claims in March, describing them as fabricated and defamatory.
“This is rich coming from someone who literally said they were willing to ‘create stories’ to redirect the media,” chief of staff Connor McNutt said in a statement.
“This is a ridiculous lie and desperate attempt to distract from the pedophile protection party’s unpopular war of choice, increasing gas prices, and rapidly dropping polling numbers,” McNutt said.
Monday’s search announcement offered no additional details that would resolve the disputed allegations or explain the investigation’s focus.
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