Federal agents searched the Washington, D.C., home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., early Monday as part of a federal criminal investigation, the Justice Department confirmed. In a statement, the department said Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant it had secured. CBS News reported that the agency is leading the probe, with the Justice Department assisting. CBS News first described the unit as ICE’s investigations arm before identifying Homeland Security Investigations as the lead agency.
Omar posted on social media that she was “ok” and that she “will not be silenced.” Her office said in a statement that she had “done nothing wrong” and called the search an “outrageous abuse of power,” CBS News reported. She has accused the Trump administration of misusing federal police powers to go after its opponents.
What investigators are examining
Two people familiar with the investigation told NBC News that agents seized Omar’s phone during the search. The people said agents were looking at possible immigration crimes such as conspiracy and false statements on immigration forms. CBS News reported that sources said the documents involved date to Omar’s childhood and include paperwork completed by her late father.
NBC News reported that the inquiry also covers questions about Omar’s immigration status, including her birthdate. Omar was born in Somalia and was naturalized at 17, which could allow citizenship through a parent, NBC News noted. The statute of limitations for many federal criminal cases is typically five years, though investigators could examine more recent actions, the outlet reported.
Roughly a dozen subpoenas were issued on Friday, including to Omar’s family members, according to NBC News. Omar herself was not subpoenaed, one of the people said. The orders are linked to a grand jury sitting in Minnesota, her home state. Federal agents also want to speak with Omar’s sister but had not reached her, the person said.
Political reaction
President Donald Trump was asked Monday whether he knew beforehand about the search, and told reporters he “had nothing to do with” it, CBS News reported. Trump said, “I think she’s a terrible person, but that’s really up to the DOJ.” NBC News reported that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said last month that “something’s going to happen” involving Omar, while adding that the department was still investigating.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Katherine Clark and Rep. Pete Aguilar called the search “deeply disturbing,” CBS News reported. They said it raised serious questions about the federal government’s treatment of Trump’s adversaries. In September, border czar Tom Homan described an “ongoing criminal investigation” involving the congresswoman. Omar said at that point she had not been contacted about any probe.
NBC News reported that the search came about three weeks before the midterm elections. The Justice Department usually refrains from high-profile moves in criminal matters that might influence a vote during that period, the outlet reported.
Financial disclosures under review
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Tuesday on Fox News’ “America Reports” that her office is examining Omar’s financial disclosures, Yahoo reported. Earlier filings showed the reported value of businesses tied to Omar’s husband, Tim Mynett, climbing sharply between 2023 and 2024, with the top figure reaching $30 million. Disclosure forms list assets in ranges rather than exact amounts, so the filings never pinned down the couple’s net worth.
Omar amended the filings in April, and her office said the original disclosures had not properly accounted for liabilities tied to her husband’s businesses. In September, the Office of Congressional Conduct recommended by a 5-1 vote that the House Ethics Committee drop related misconduct complaints. Omar has repeatedly said she is not a millionaire. Yahoo also noted that investigators have not said whether the search ties to the financial inquiry.
What remains unknown
None of the reports described any charges against Omar, and it is not clear whether investigators will bring any. The Justice Department declined to comment. A spokesperson for Omar did not respond to a request for comment from NBC News. It is also not known when Omar’s sister will be interviewed or how the seized phone will be reviewed.
