President Trump Demands Ilhan Omar's Resignation as DOJ Immigration Probe Moves Forward
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President Donald Trump called for Rep. Ilhan Omar to resign while the Department of Justice investigates possible immigration fraud, even as constitutional protections make expulsion difficult and politically fraught.
President Donald Trump said Rep. Ilhan Omar should resign from Congress, leveling accusations that she used a false name when sworn in and casting suspicion on her legal status in the United States. The allegations arrive as the Department of Justice pursues an investigation into possible immigration fraud involving Omar, including a recent raid on her Washington, D.C., residence that seized electronic devices and personal items.
"She used a fake name to be sworn in," Trump said. "She must immediately resign from Congress."
Federal filings list Omar under the name "Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, a/k/a Ilhan Abdullahi Omar," while the House Clerk records her as "Ilhan Omar" on financial disclosures dating to 2018. Omar confirmed her name as "Ilhan Abdullahi Omar" when questioned by a reporter.
Legal scholars note that the Constitution gives each chamber of Congress the authority to judge the qualifications of its members and to expel a member with a two-thirds vote. Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) said the House has the prerogative to seat or remove members but emphasized that such action would be "extraordinary" and require "good sound reasons."
Historically, the House has expelled only six members, most recently Rep. George Santos in 2023. The Supreme Court’s 1963 decision in Powell v. McCormack limits the chamber’s ability to refuse seating a member who meets the basic constitutional qualifications. While motions to deny seating or to expel a member are possible, they would face significant procedural and evidentiary hurdles.
The investigation and the president’s statements have sparked debate among GOP lawmakers about whether to pursue any formal action against Omar, but any move would need to comply with constitutional procedures and secure the required supermajority.