US authorities seize Ilhan Omar’s phone, subpoena relatives in immigration fraud probe

Federal authorities investigating Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar have seized her phone and issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, according to a person briefed on the probe, the Associated Press reports.

The person, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the subpoenas were issued for a Minnesota grand jury gathering evidence on potential fraud in Omar’s immigration paperwork. The probe led federal agents to search the Democrat’s Washington, D.C., home on Monday, three weeks before the November midterms, in which she is seeking re-election.

The scope of the investigation is unclear. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested authorities were examining possible crimes related to her family’s immigration paperwork.

D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Tuesday in a Fox News interview that several investigations related to Omar are under way, including one into her financial disclosures. “If there was a crime that was committed, it will be prosecuted,” she said.

Democrats swiftly condemned the search, accusing the administration of targeting Omar for political purposes. In a statement on X, Omar called it an attempt to weaponize federal law enforcement, said President Donald Trump has targeted her with baseless lies for 10 years, and vowed not to be silenced.

The timing is notable. The Justice Department has historically sought to avoid public investigative actions involving a candidate within 60 days of an election.

Omar, first elected in 2018, represents Minnesota’s 5th District, including Minneapolis. A member of “The Squad” of progressive lawmakers, she was one of the first two Muslim-American women in the House and the first African refugee elected to Congress.