Federal agents search Ilhan Omar's Washington home in criminal investigation
In short
Federal agents searched Representative Ilhan Omar's Washington-area home early Monday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Sources cited by ABC News and CBS News linked the inquiry to her immigration paperwork; Omar denied wrongdoing and said the search targeted political opponents.
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Federal agents searched the Washington-area residence of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota early Monday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. The Justice Department said Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the department. Its statement did not specify that the warrant concerned Omar or provide further details about the investigation, NBC News reported. [ 15 , 20 ]
Sources cited by ABC News said the investigation relates to Omar's immigration paperwork. CBS News reported that documents under scrutiny date to her childhood and were completed by her late father. NBC News cited a person familiar with the investigation who said the inquiry partly concerns immigration and fraud but extends beyond those subjects. The Guardian reported that the nature of the warrant remained unclear. [ 10 , 15 , 18 , 20 ]
Omar said on social media that she was okay and accused the administration of using federal law enforcement against political opponents. Her office said she had done nothing wrong and called the search an abuse of power. House Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar condemned the operation in a joint statement and pledged to seek accountability from the Homeland Security and Justice departments. [ 18 , 20 ]
The search occurred during Omar's reelection campaign, close to the midterm elections. ABC News reported that the Justice Department has historically advised prosecutors against overt investigative steps involving members of Congress or candidates within 60 days of an election. CNBC cited a person familiar with the search who said the department did not consider the action a policy violation because it was not intended to be public. [ 9 , 15 ]
Omar has denied immigration-fraud allegations. ABC News reported that she came to the United States as a child refugee and is a U.S. citizen. It said her presence at the residence during the search was unclear. The White House and Department of Homeland Security referred questions about the search to the Justice Department, NBC News reported. [ 3 , 15 , 20 ]
Why it matters
The search comes during Omar's reelection campaign, close to the midterm elections. House Democratic leaders condemned it, and reports raised questions about its timing given Justice Department practices on investigative steps involving candidates before elections.
Key facts
- Federal agents searched the Washington-area home of Ilhan Omar, a Democratic representative from Minnesota, early Monday. [ 15 , 18 , 20 ]
- The Justice Department said Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the department. [ 9 , 10 , 15 ]
- ABC News and CBS News cited sources linking the investigation to Omar's immigration paperwork. [ 15 , 18 ]
- Omar's office said she had done nothing wrong, and Omar described the search as political intimidation. [ 18 ]
- House Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar condemned the search in a joint statement. [ 18 , 20 ]
- ABC News reported that it was unclear whether Omar was at the residence during the search. [ 15 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Federal agents searched Omar's Washington-area home on Monday. [ 3 , 14 , 15 , 18 , 20 ]
- The Justice Department described the search warrant as judicially authorized and part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation. [ 10 , 15 , 20 ]
- Omar accused the administration of targeting political opponents through the search. [ 8 , 15 , 18 , 20 ]
- House Democratic leaders condemned the search. [ 18 , 20 , 36 ]
Still unclear
- The full scope of the investigation and the nature of the warrant remain unclear. The Guardian reported uncertainty about the warrant; NBC News said the Justice Department provided no details and cited a source describing an inquiry broader than immigration and fraud.
- Whether Omar was at the residence during the search is unclear. ABC News explicitly reported that her presence was unknown.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Fox News reported a pre-dawn Homeland Security Investigations search of Omar's home. [ 1 ]
- Associated Press reported that federal agents searched Omar's home as part of a criminal investigation, citing two people familiar with the matter. [ 3 ]
- NBC News reported that the Justice Department statement did not identify Omar or give details about the investigation. [ 20 ]