- US immigration investigators searched Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Washington-area home under a judicially authorised warrant
- Omar accused President Donald Trump’s administration of targeting political opponents, while Trump denied involvement in the probe
- The search has sparked political backlash weeks before the US midterm elections, with Democrats questioning its timing
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US immigration investigators have searched the Washington-area home of Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar as part of a federal criminal investigation, prompting the Democrat to accuse President Donald Trump’s administration of targeting political opponents.
Source: UGC
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents carried out the search on Monday, October 12, under a judicially authorised warrant obtained by the Department of Justice.
A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed the operation was linked to an ongoing federal criminal investigation but did not disclose further details. It was unclear whether Omar was at the residence during the search.
Omar, a Somali-born Democrat and vocal critic of Trump, condemned the operation in a social media post, describing it 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,” she said.
“This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced,” she added, as quoted by BBC.
Her communications director, Jacklyn Rogers, also criticised the search, calling it “an outrageous abuse of power” and insisting that the congresswoman “has done nothing wrong”.
The exact nature of the investigation remains unclear. However, Fox News reported that it concerned immigration paperwork submitted by Omar’s late father when she was a child.
Omar’s immigration history has repeatedly come under scrutiny from Republican politicians, who have raised allegations of immigration and marital fraud. She has denied the accusations, describing previous investigations as baseless.
In September, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said “something is going to happen” regarding allegations against the congresswoman. White House border official Tom Homan also previously said Omar was being investigated over unspecified immigration violations.
During Monday’s search, journalists saw agents carrying boxes from the property to a van.
What did Trump say about the search?
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump denied involvement in the investigation, saying he had “nothing to do” with it. However, he criticised Omar, calling her a “complainer” and a “terrible person”.
The president also made disparaging remarks about her Somali origins, questioning her criticism of the United States and its Constitution.
Later, during a rally in Ohio, Trump referred to the search and said: “I don't know what they're doing with it, but I can tell you this: she's a disaster.”
His comments drew further criticism amid concerns about the timing of the search, which came only weeks before the November 3 midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.
How have US political leaders reacted?
Senior House Democrats condemned the search, arguing that it followed years of personal attacks and unsubstantiated accusations against Omar.
“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,” they said in a statement.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also accused Trump of abusing his authority to target political opponents, while Senator Tina Smith described the search as “a transparent attempt to interfere in our elections”.
Some Republicans defended the operation. Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer said “nobody is above the law” and called for further details about the investigation.
Omar, first elected to Congress in 2018, represents Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis. She is the first Somali American elected to the US House of Representatives and one of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress.
Source: TUKO.co.ke