Obama condemns federal probe of Rep. Ilhan Omar as intimidation
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Former President Barack Obama blasted a Department of Homeland Security search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home, calling it a politically charged attempt to silence a critic of President Trump and warning that normalized abuse of state power could be turned against anyone.
Former President Barack Obama posted on X that a federal investigation targeting Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has criticized President Trump, is nothing less than intimidation. He said the search of the Minnesota Democrat’s Washington, D.C., residence by homeland security agents was “so appalling” and warned that if such tactics become routine, future presidents could weaponize them against political opponents.
The probe focuses on Omar’s immigration status and whether she misrepresented her age when her father became a naturalized citizen in 1995. Under U.S. citizenship law, a child born abroad to a naturalized parent acquires citizenship automatically if under 18 and a lawful permanent resident.
If authorities find material falsehoods in the naturalization process, the Justice Department could seek to revoke her citizenship. Omar has accused President Trump of a long-running campaign of political intimidation, while Trump denied involvement, describing her as “a terrible person” and a “complainer.”
Omar’s legal team has asked for the return of seized items, arguing that the search violated a court order protecting her legislative work and that she was not properly notified. Democrats have portrayed the raid as presidential interference with the legislative branch, while Republicans say the investigation should be applied equally under the law.