Federal agents search Ilhan Omar’s Washington home as part of ongoing criminal investigation

Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant at the Washington-area home of Representative Ilhan Omar on the morning of 12 October. The Justice Department confirmed the search and said it is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation. Agents were seen removing boxes labelled as seized property evidence.

Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s 5th District, is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump. She was born in Somalia and arrived in the United States as a child after time in a Kenyan refugee camp. She is running for reelection in the November midterms. The search took place inside the 60-day window before the election, a period when the Justice Department has historically avoided certain investigative steps involving candidates.

Omar posted on social media that she is okay and will not be silenced. Her office called the search an outrageous abuse of power and an unprecedented escalation in the weaponization of federal law enforcement against political enemies. House Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar described the search as deeply disturbing and raised questions about the use of federal power against Trump’s adversaries.

Sources familiar with the investigation said it concerns alleged immigration fraud related to paperwork filed by Omar’s late father when she was a child. The Justice Department statement did not specify the exact charges or scope. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson referred questions to the Justice Department. White House and DHS officials declined further comment.

Trump had referred pejoratively to Omar at a rally in Tennessee two days earlier, describing her country of origin in negative terms and suggesting that investigations were underway. The search is the latest in a series of actions by the administration involving the congresswoman. Earlier statements from border officials indicated that DHS was examining her immigration history.

Neighbors reported being woken by banging on doors around 4:30 a.m. Agents in HSI jackets were visible outside the residence later in the morning. Omar was not reported to be present at the time. Congress is currently out of session.

The investigation remains open. No charges have been announced. The search warrant itself has not been made public. The timing, weeks before the midterm elections, has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders who argue it risks appearing as political interference. Republican officials have not issued detailed statements on the specific search.

Omar has faced repeated political attacks since her election in 2018. The current probe focuses on childhood immigration documents rather than her legislative record or campaign finances, according to the sources. The Justice Department has not confirmed or denied those details beyond stating that a criminal investigation is ongoing.