Federal authorities investigating Representative Ilhan Omar have seized the Minnesota Democrat's cellphone and issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, as a criminal probe into alleged fraud in her immigration paperwork intensifies weeks before the November midterm elections.
The developments, first reported by the Associated Press citing a person briefed on the investigation, follow a search of Omar's Washington, D.C. home on Monday by Homeland Security Investigations agents acting on a judicially authorized warrant.
Phone seized, subpoenas issued
According to the AP's reporting, investigators took Omar's cellphone during the search and have issued grand jury subpoenas to more than a dozen people, including members of the congresswoman's family. The subpoenas were issued for a grand jury collecting evidence in Minnesota, where the probe is centered.
The Wall Street Journal reported that agents also seized notebooks, personal computers and Omar's passport during the Monday search. The Journal further reported that investigators are examining whether Omar or her late father misrepresented her age on citizenship paperwork — potentially allowing her to obtain U.S. citizenship automatically through her father's naturalization. Omar arrived in the United States from Somalia in 1995 and became a naturalized citizen in 2000. The Journal noted that federal authorities examined similar allegations during the Biden administration but did not pursue them over insufficient evidence.
Because Omar is a sitting member of Congress, a federal magistrate judge in Washington imposed special screening procedures to protect potential legislative materials under the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause, limiting what investigators can review.
Multiple investigations, Pirro says
The precise scope of the investigation remains unclear, though Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested authorities are examining potential crimes related to the Omar family's immigration paperwork. On Tuesday, Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a Fox News interview that "there are several investigations going on" related to Omar, adding that her office is also reviewing questions around the lawmaker's congressional financial disclosures.
"If there was a crime that was committed, it will be prosecuted," Pirro said.
Political firestorm over timing
The search of Omar's home, coming less than three weeks before midterm elections that will decide control of the House and Senate — contests in which Omar is seeking reelection — drew swift condemnation from Democrats, who accused the administration of targeting a political opponent.
Omar, in a statement posted on X, called the search "an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement." She added: "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. I will not be silenced."
No criminal charges against Omar have been announced. The investigation remains ongoing.
What happens next
The Minnesota grand jury will continue gathering evidence, and the D.C. U.S. Attorney's office review of Omar's financial disclosures runs in parallel. With the midterms approaching, both the legal process and the political battle over the probe's legitimacy are set to intensify. The Morning Post will continue following this story.
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