Rep. Ilhan Omar details federal search of her D.C. home, says she’ll have to move for safety

Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota announced on Wednesday that she intends to vacate her Washington, D.C., residence due to safety concerns following a federal search of the property earlier this month. In her first detailed account of the incident, the Democratic lawmaker stated that she felt unsafe remaining in the home after receiving death threats and because her address had become publicly known. Omar spoke during an interview with MS NOW, describing the early morning entry by federal agents as a traumatic experience that left her family startled and confused. The search occurred at approximately 6 a.m. on October 12. Omar explained that she had returned home from a trip in the pre-dawn hours and had slept for only two and a half hours before agents from Homeland Security Investigations arrived. She recalled hearing loud banging on both the front and back doors. Initially believing there might be a fire or an emergency involving a neighbor, she and her husband, Tim Mynett, rushed to dress and descend the stairs. Their 20-year-old son was also present in the residence at the time. Omar expressed confusion upon seeing agents from Homeland Security Investigations, a division typically associated with investigations into human trafficking, drug trafficking, cybersecurity, and terrorism. She noted that the early hour of the arrival seemed designed to cause distress. When she asked the officers why they were there, they presented a judicially authorized search warrant. According to Omar, the agents subsequently requested that she sign a document waiving certain rights afforded to members of Congress under the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution. She refused to sign the waiver. The operation lasted between four and five hours. Omar estimated that between 15 and 25 agents moved through the house room by room. During the search, officials seized 17 items. These included older mobile phones belonging to Omar and one of her daughters, a recently replaced phone, notebooks, and personal effects. Among the items taken from her husband were a vintage camera dating to the 1960s, which had been passed down from his uncle, and a Somali phrasebook he was using to learn the language. Omar stated that based on the inventory receipt provided after the search, she did not believe agents collected any biological samples containing her DNA, nor was she asked to provide one. Omar said she was unable to contact her attorney until roughly an hour into the search. During that period, she remained seated on the couch, reviewing the warrant to ensure the agents stayed within its legal boundaries. Despite the intrusion, she characterized the agents' behavior as generally decent. She observed that they logged the items they removed and restored the rest of the household to its previous order, even folding unfolded clothing. However, she criticized the timing and nature of the investigation, stating that the presence of such a large force at her home at that hour was bizarre. The federal probe is focused on potential fraud in the family’s immigration and naturalization paperwork. A person familiar with the investigation indicated that possible charges could include conspiracy and making false statements in immigration documents. Grand jury subpoenas have been issued to some of Omar’s relatives. The Justice Department has kept details sparse, confirming only that it is an ongoing federal criminal investigation. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin described the case as strong in an October 16 interview, noting that investigators intended to present evidence to a grand jury. Omar, who was born in Somalia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000 after arriving at age 12 with her family, maintained that she committed no wrongdoing. She dismissed the possibility of prosecuting a child for complex fraud, arguing that it would be implausible for a 12-year-old to conspire to defraud immigration services. She also addressed persistent rumors alleging she married her brother. Omar stated she was unaware of any familial relationship with her former spouse and attributed the claim to a Somali blog post that was later amplified by right-wing conspiracy theorists in Minneapolis. She said she did not know the individuals cited in these claims. The representative linked the investigation directly to President Donald Trump, citing his history of attacking her and calling for her deportation. She pointed out that the agencies conducting the search hold the very documents related to her late father’s immigration process. Congressional Democrats condemned the action, questioning the timing relative to the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of the House and Senate. The Justice Department has historically avoided overt investigative actions targeting candidates in the immediate lead-up to major elections. Omar is running for reelection in a district centered in Minneapolis, where polls suggest she is likely to retain her seat. The search has intensified scrutiny on the intersection of congressional immunity and federal enforcement powers. While the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Omar’s specific account of the events, the Department of Homeland Security directed inquiries to the Justice Department. Omar emphasized her confidence in her innocence while preparing to relocate to a new, undisclosed location to protect her family’s privacy and security.