Federal authorities investigating Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar seized the Democratic congresswoman’s phone and issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, according to a person briefed on the investigation.
The subpoenas were issued to a grand jury collecting evidence in Minnesota as federal authorities investigate potential fraud in Omar’s immigration documents, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation. The investigation led federal agents to search Omar’s Washington, D.C. home on Monday, just weeks before the November midterm elections, in which Omar is seeking re-election.
The scope of the investigation into Omar is unclear, although Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested that authorities are looking into potential crimes related to his family’s immigration records.
On Tuesday, Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a Fox News interview that “several investigations are underway” related to Omar and that her office was also looking into questions regarding the lawmaker’s financial disclosures.
“If a crime has been committed, it will be prosecuted,” Pirro said.
The search of Omar’s home so close to next month’s midterm elections, which will determine control of the House and Senate, was quickly condemned by Democrats, who accused the administration of targeting the representative for political purposes. Omar, in a statement on X, called the search “an attempt to target political enemies and militarize federal law enforcement.”
“For 10 years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation,” she said. “I will not be silenced.”
A phone message seeking comment was left Wednesday with a representative for Omar.
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Although Republican attention to Omar’s background dates back several years, the research notably took place three weeks before the November midterm elections, in which Omar is seeking re-election. The Justice Department has historically sought to avoid public inquiries involving a candidate within 60 days of a primary or general election.
Omar, who was first elected to the House in 2018, represents Minnesota’s Fifth District, including Minneapolis. She is part of the “squad” of progressive lawmakers who are a dynamic political force on the left wing of Congress, but who have also faced repeated attacks from Trump, dating back to his first term. She was one of the first two Muslim American women to serve in the House and the first African refugee to be elected to Congress.
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