Federal agents seize Rep. Ilhan Omar's phone in criminal probe, AP source says
Federal authorities investigating Representative Ilhan Omar seized the Minnesota Democrat's phone and have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, the Associated Press reported on October 14, citing a person briefed on the probe.
The subpoenas were issued for a grand jury collecting evidence in Minnesota as federal authorities probe potential fraud in Omar's immigration paperwork, 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, three weeks before the November midterm elections in which Omar is seeking re-election.
The scope of the investigation is unclear, according to AP. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested that authorities were examining potential crimes related to her family's immigration paperwork. Washington U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday that “there are several investigations going on” related to Omar, and that her office is also probing issues concerning the lawmaker's financial disclosures. “If there was a crime that was committed, it will be prosecuted,” Pirro said.
Democrats swiftly condemned the search, accusing the administration of targeting Omar for political purposes. Omar, in a statement on X, called the search an “attempt to target political enemies and weaponize 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 with a representative for Omar.
AP noted that the Justice Department has historically sought to avoid public investigative actions involving a candidate within 60 days of an election. Omar, first elected to the House in 2018, represents Minnesota's 5th District, including Minneapolis. She was one of the first two Muslim American women in the House and the first African refugee elected to Congress.