Federal probe into Rep. Ilhan Omar draws Obama's condemnation
Federal agents searched Omar's Washington home and issued subpoenas to relatives as investigators look for immigration paperwork fraud. Former President Barack Obama called the probe appalling and an effort to intimidate her.
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What happened
Federal investigators are pursuing a criminal inquiry into Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota over possible immigration fraud, after agents searched her Washington home and subpoenaed some family members. White House border czar Tom Homan said investigators have a strong case and that Omar could be denaturalized and deported. Former President Barack Obama has since publicly condemned the investigation as a transparent attempt to intimidate her.
Why it matters
Officials say the case centers on whether Omar or her family broke the law to obtain citizenship. A New York Magazine commentary argued the probe has done institutional damage to the Justice Department by targeting a congresswoman weeks before the midterms.
Timeline
- Oct 18, 10:26 AM ET: Tom Homan said federal investigators have a strong case in the criminal investigation into Omar for possible immigration fraud.
- Oct 18, 12:35 PM ET: Obama said the investigation should outrage all Americans and accused the Trump administration of targeting her.
- Oct 18, 1:16 PM ET: Homan said Omar could be denaturalized and deported, with officials alleging she or her family violated the law to obtain citizenship.
- Oct 18, 8:34 PM ET: Obama posted a lengthy statement calling the treatment of Omar a transparent effort to intimidate her and calling it appalling.
Coverage
- Obama calls Trump officials’ investigation of Ilhan Omar ‘appalling’ (NBC News)
- Obama Defends Rep. Ilhan Omar Amid Trump Administration Inquiry (The New York Times)
- Trump ‘border czar’ says Ilhan Omar could be ‘of course’ denaturalized and deported (The Guardian)
- Obama: Omar investigation should ‘outrage all Americans’ (The Hill)
- Homan says investigators have a ‘strong case’ against Omar (The Hill)
- ‘Astounded’: DOJ vets shocked by timing of Ilhan Omar search (NBC News)
- Attorneys for Rep. Ilhan Omar accuse DOJ of violating judge's orders to follow protocols to protect her rights as member of Congress (CBS News)
- Rep. Ilhan Omar challenges legality of Trump administration search of her home (CNN)
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