Ilhan Omar’s phone seized and relatives subpoenaed in criminal inquiry, source says

Federal authorities investigating the Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar seized the Democratic lawmaker’s phone and have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, according to a person briefed on the inquiry.

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 the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation. The investigation led to federal agents searching Omar’s Washington DC home on Monday just weeks before the November midterms, in which Omar is seeking re-election.

The scope of the investigation into Omar is unclear, though the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, has suggested that authorities were examining potential crimes related to her family’s immigration paperwork.

On Tuesday, Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a Fox News interview that “there are several investigations going on” related to Omar and that her office is also looking into issues concerning the lawmaker’s financial disclosures.

“If there was a crime that was committed, it will be prosecuted,” Pirro said.

The search of Omar’s home so close to next month’s midterm contests, which will determine control of the House and the Senate, was swiftly condemned by Democrats, who accused the administration of targeting the the representative 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 on Wednesday with a representative for Omar.

Though the Republican focus on Omar’s background dates back years, the search notably took place three weeks before the November midterms, in which Omar is seeking re-election. The justice department has historically sought to avoid public investigative actions 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 vibrant political force on the left wing of Congress but have also endured repeated attacks from Trump, dating back to his first term. She was one of the first two Muslim-American women in the House and the first African refugee to be elected to Congress.