US federal agents don search the Washington, DC-area home of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, one strong critic of President Donald Trump, as part of ongoing criminal investigation. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations carry out the search early Monday morning, according to The Associated Press news agency, citing two people familiar with the matter. The Justice Department confirm say agents execute court-authorised search warrant but e no identify Omar or give details about the investigation.
Homeland Security Investigations agents ‘executed a judicially authorised search warrant’ for the home, a US justice department spokesperson tell BBC. The search ‘is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation,’ the spokesperson talk, but no further details. US Congress currently out of session and e no clear if Omar dey house. A BBC crew see several agents for the home, some carry boxes to van.
Fox News first report the search, and Fox News talk say investigation be about immigration paperwork wey her late father file when Omar still be child. Fox News report, citing unidentified sources, say search link to allegations of immigration fraud involving paperwork submitted by Omar’s late father when she was a child. No charges don announce. The nature of criminal investigation still unclear.
Omar condemn the search for post on social media Monday, accuse Trump administration say dem dey use federal law enforcement target political opponents. ‘I’m ok. Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement,’ she write. ‘For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation.’ ‘I will not be silenced,’ she add.
Her communications director Jacklyn Rogers call the raid ‘an outrageous abuse of power’ by Trump administration. ‘The Congresswoman has done nothing wrong.’ The US House Democratic Party leadership talk for statement say Omar don long been targeted with ‘vile personal attacks and baseless accusations’ by Trump. ‘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,’ the statement talk.
The timing of Monday raid, 22 days before November midterm elections wey go decide balance of power for Congress for next two years, don raise concerns from Democrats wey rally behind Omar. The justice department get longstanding policy to refrain from most enforcement action wey ‘likely to raise an issue or the perception’ say dem bring am to affect any election or disadvantage candidate. The search come just over three weeks before November 3 midterm elections, when Republicans go dey fight to retain control of Congress.
Omar immigration records don scrutinised in past by Republicans. Earlier this year, fellow Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina unsuccessfully file subpoena of her records. Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin tell conservative podcaster ‘something is going to happen’, make allegations of marital fraud against Omar. Separately, White House border tsar Tom Homan tell Fox News say Omar dey investigated for unspecified immigration violations. Omar deny these allegations last month. ‘I will say it again so it’s as clear as possible: I’m not at all worried about these investigations, because they are complete shams,’ she talk for campaign fundraising email, archive of which BBC don see.
In September, Trump border security chief Tom Holman talk say Omar na subject of ongoing criminal investigation, although e no provide any other details. Omar talk at the time say she never contact Homeland Security and dismiss allegations as politically motivated. Vice President JD Vance don also accuse Omar in past of immigration fraud without providing evidence. In interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, Vance talk say him and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller don talk about how to investigate her. ‘How do you go after her? How do you investigate her? How do you actually do the thing?’ Vance ask as e muse about building case. Omar office dismiss Vance allegations as ‘fabricated and defamatory’ in March. There was no immediate public response from Omar to Monday search.
She don been targeted by Trump with president previously suggesting say she ‘should go back’ to Somalia and say she should be deported. US citizenship required to serve as US House Representative. Omar respond to Trump insults and attacks describing them as ‘unhealthy and creepy obsession’. The president also don speak unfavourably about Somali American community. Last week, he write on social media say Minnesota ‘is being taken over by Somali immigrants’ and talk say ‘the people of Minnesota must fight back.’
Some Republicans celebrate the search. ‘Nobody is above the law,’ Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer talk. ‘We look forward to learning more details about this raid and investigation. ACCOUNTABILITY IS COMING!’ Omar na first Somali-American elected to US House of Representatives and she represent district in Minneapolis area. She and Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib na first Muslim women elected to Congress. She win 2024 election with 74% of vote.
Senior political leaders in Minnesota also criticise the search. Governor Tim Walz criticise the search on Monday. ‘Americans see this for what it is – President Trump is abusing his power to go after political opponents weeks before an election.’ Minnesota senator Tina Smith call it ‘a transparent attempt to interfere in our elections.’
The Somali-born congresswoman, who come to US as child refugee and later become naturalised citizen, represent district in state of Minnesota wey include Minneapolis. She don long be target of Trump political attacks, particularly over immigration. Omar talk say she and her family don face death threats as result of Trump rhetoric and she call his fixation on her ‘creepy’. In December, president call the congresswoman and other Somali immigrants ‘garbage’. In February, he talk say Omar and Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, both Muslims and members of progressive group of lawmakers known as ‘The Squad’, should be ‘institutionalised’ and sent back to ‘where they came from’ after they criticise his State of the Union address. Last month, Minnesota man was sentenced to 14 months in prison for spraying Omar with vinegar during January town hall meeting, at height of Trump immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, during which she call for abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
