Obama condemns federal raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar as intimidation by Trump administration
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Former President Barack Obama blasted a federal search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home as a blatant attempt by President Donald Trump’s administration to silence a critic and weaponize federal power against an elected lawmaker.
Former President Barack Obama on Sunday denounced a federal raid on the Washington, D.C., residence of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., calling it a "transparent" effort by the Trump administration to intimidate her and cow a political opponent. > "The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president," Obama wrote on X.
The search, carried out last week, is part of a Justice Department investigation that may include charges of conspiracy and false statements on immigration paperwork, although officials have not disclosed any evidence to support those claims. Omar, a naturalized citizen born in Somalia, linked the raid directly to President Donald Trump, saying it was designed to target political enemies and turn law enforcement into a partisan weapon. > "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," Omar posted.
Obama also pushed back against the administration’s reported move to deport Omar, arguing that the basis for such an action is not substantiated and cannot be justified as legitimate governance. He warned that any president who uses federal power to intimidate critics could establish a dangerous precedent for the country. The raid took place near the midterm elections and during a federal holiday, intensifying concerns among Justice Department veterans about its timing and political purpose.