Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said Wednesday that she will move out of her Washington, D.C., apartment following a federal search of the residence. The congresswoman cited safety concerns for her and her children after her address became public as a result of the Oct. 12 search.
The search was conducted as part of an investigation into allegations of immigration fraud. President Trump and his administration have claimed that Omar’s father lied about her age when the family obtained U.S. citizenship in 2000. Omar has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
During an interview on Wednesday, Omar stated that federal agents arrived at her home at 6 a.m. on Oct. 12. She reported that agents went "room by room" and seized 17 items, including her mobile phone and other electronic devices. Omar characterized the investigation as a "campaign of political intimidation" and questioned why the administration had not used subpoenas or a grand jury if they possessed evidence of a crime.
President Trump addressed the investigation from the Oval Office on Wednesday, describing Omar as a "sick, very dishonest person" who "hates our country" and stating he hoped she would be treated fairly. Former President Barack Obama issued a statement condemning the investigation as "appalling." A report from The Washington Post on Oct. 15 indicated that a 2019 review of Omar’s immigration records by federal officials did not yield evidence of fraud.
For the congresswoman, the development resulted in a reported loss of privacy and a planned relocation of her Washington, D.C., residence due to death threats. This affects her ability to house her children during their visits to the capital. The case highlights the application of federal investigative powers against an elected official and the subsequent publicizing of her residential data.
The situation has also heightened political tension within Congress, where Omar reported an "outpouring of support" from Democratic colleagues, contrasted with continued public criticism from the president. No dates for grand jury proceedings, indictments, or court appearances have been reported as of Oct. 22.