Federal authorities investigating Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar seized the Democratic lawmaker’s phone and issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas. The subpoenas include some of her relatives, according to a person briefed on the inquiry who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The subpoenas were issued for a grand jury collecting evidence in Minnesota. Federal authorities are investigating potential fraud in Omar’s immigration paperwork.
The investigation led federal agents to search Omar’s Washington DC home on Monday. The search took place just weeks before the November midterms, in which Omar is seeking re-election.
The scope of the investigation is unclear. However, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, suggested authorities were examining potential crimes related to her family’s immigration paperwork.
Pirro said that any committed crime would be prosecuted.
The search of Omar’s home so close to next month’s midterm contests was swiftly condemned by Democrats. The contests will determine control of the House and the Senate.
Democrats accused the administration of targeting the representative for political purposes. In a statement on X, Omar called the search an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement.
Omar stated that Trump has targeted her with baseless lies and smear campaigns for ten years. She added that the move is the latest escalation in a campaign of political intimidation and stated she will not be silenced.
A representative for Omar did not immediately comment on Wednesday. The search took place three weeks before the November midterms.
The justice department has historically sought to avoid public investigative actions involving a candidate within sixty days of a primary or general election. Omar was first elected to the House in 2018 and represents Minnesota’s fifth district, including Minneapolis.
Omar is part of the Squad of progressive lawmakers on the left wing of Congress. She was one of the first two Muslim American women in the House and the first African refugee elected to Congress.
