US Congress: “Intimidation”? Search of U.S. Rep. Omar

Washington. Federal officials searched the Washington-area home of prominent Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar. This was reported by Fox News and NBC News, among others, citing people familiar with the matter. Top House Democrats, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, called the raid disturbing. The action raises serious questions “regarding the federal government’s ongoing corrupt instrumentalization against (US President) Donald Trump’s opponents.” Omar himself spoke of "political intimidation."

A Justice Department spokesman told multiple US media outlets that officials from a division of the Department of Homeland Security executed a court-authorized search warrant obtained by the Justice Department. The measure is part of an ongoing criminal investigation at the federal level, it said. However, according to NBC News, the statement did not indicate that the search warrant was connected to Omar. No further information was given about the nature of the investigation.

Fox News cited two sources familiar with the investigation as saying the search was part of a criminal investigation into alleged fraud related to the Somali-born congresswoman's immigration records. ABC News has similar information.

Omar spoke on X of an “attempt to target political opponents and use federal law enforcement as a weapon.” Trump has been attacking them with baseless lies and smear campaigns for ten years. "This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced," she wrote.

The black MP is repeatedly subjected to violent attacks from Trump. With regard to her Somali roots, he has often suggested to the US citizen that she should “go back” to Somalia. In front of reporters on Monday, Trump once again made disparaging comments about the East African country and Omar. "I think she's a terrible person, but that's really a matter for the Justice Department - I have nothing to do with it," he said.

NBC News also points out the timing of the search - three weeks before the important congressional election in which the left-wing representative Omar wants to be re-elected in her district in the US state of Minnesota. It is common practice in the Ministry of Justice to exercise particular caution when taking measures shortly before an election that could appear to help or harm a candidate, the broadcaster emphasizes. The ministry is not prohibited from taking action within the two months before an election, but this has long been an unwritten practice.