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Federal agents seized the mobile phone of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar during a search of her Washington, D.C., home this week. The search forms part of a federal investigation into potential immigration-related crimes. According to two people familiar with the matter, investigators also sent roughly a dozen subpoenas in connection with the case.
Charges and Legal Scope of the Investigation
Federal officials cited possible charges including conspiracy and making false statements on immigration paperwork. The investigation involves Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minneapolis, and the Justice Department. A federal grand jury in Minnesota, Omar’s home state, is connected to the subpoenas.
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The search took place just three weeks before the midterm elections. That timing falls within a window during which the Justice Department has traditionally avoided high-profile actions in criminal cases that could influence an election. In addition, seizing the phone of a sitting member of Congress typically triggers specific law enforcement protocols. Those protocols exist to protect the “speech or debate” clause of the U.S. Constitution, which shields lawmakers from being questioned about their legislative activities.
Subpoenas Sent to Family Members
On Friday, approximately a dozen subpoenas went out in the case. Several targeted Omar’s family members, according to a second person familiar with the investigation. However, Omar herself was not among those subpoenaed. Federal agents also want to speak with Omar’s sister but have not yet made contact with her. The New York Times first reported on the subpoenas.
The probe examines matters surrounding Omar’s immigration status, including her birthdate. Omar was born in Somalia and moved to the United States with her family in the 1990s. She became a naturalized citizen at age 17, meaning she was a juvenile at the time and could receive citizenship through a parent. One person familiar with the investigation said it involves whistleblowers, documents, and witness testimony.
A potential complication for prosecutors is the statute of limitations, which typically runs five years. However, investigators could still examine more recent actions by Omar or her family members that fall within that timeframe.
Omar Responds, Trump Weighs In
Omar’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. The Justice Department also declined to comment. Omar posted a statement online Monday, strongly rejecting the investigation. “Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement,” she wrote. “For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation.”
When asked Monday whether he knew about the search in advance, President Trump said the federal government was looking at Omar “very carefully.” He also repeated longstanding attacks on her and on Somalia. That evening, Trump continued his criticism at a Republican rally in Ohio. “She’s a disaster,” he said. “I don’t know what they’re doing with it, but I can tell you this.”
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin appeared to signal federal action against Omar last month. He told reporters “something’s going to happen” with her while noting the investigation was still ongoing. “If we actually move a case forward, it’s not a political case,” Mullin said. “It’s an actual case because they did things wrong.” He added that lying on immigration applications carries no expiration for accountability.
Omar is a member of a group of progressive women in Congress widely known as “the Squad.” She has long been a target of Trump’s rhetoric, both for her political positions and her background as a Somali immigrant.
