Federal authorities seize Rep. Ilhan Omar's phone and subpoena relatives in criminal investigation

Federal agents executed a search warrant at Representative Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C., home on October 12, 2026, seizing her cellphone, laptop, and passport amid an investigation into potential immigration paperwork fraud and financial disclosures. A Minnesota grand jury issued over a dozen subpoenas to her relatives, including sister Sahra Noor. Occurring three weeks before the November midterms, the probe sparked sharp condemnation from Democrats alleging political weaponization.

Search of Omar's residence and seized items

• ▪Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations executed a court-approved search warrant at Representative Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C., home on October 12, 2026.
• ▪The search of Representative Ilhan Omar's residence occurred three weeks before the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, departing from Justice Department policy avoiding public investigative actions within 60 days of an election.
• ▪Federal agents seized Representative Ilhan Omar's cellphone, laptop, personal computers, notebooks, and passport during the October 12, 2026 search of her residence.

Reactions from Omar and Trump

• ▪President Donald Trump denied direct involvement in the federal investigation while criticizing Representative Ilhan Omar and Somalis in the U.S. during an October 12, 2026 political rally in Ohio.
• ▪Representative Ilhan Omar condemned the search of her home as an attempt by President Donald Trump's administration to target political enemies and weaponize law enforcement.

Grand jury subpoenas to relatives

• ▪The federal grand jury subpoenas issued in the investigation into Representative Ilhan Omar's family immigration records do not include her husband Tim Mynett or her daughter.
• ▪A federal grand jury in Minnesota issued more than a dozen subpoenas to relatives of Representative Ilhan Omar, including her sister Sahra Noor.

Scope of the federal investigation

• ▪The Justice Department is examining whether Representative Ilhan Omar's late father, Nur Omar Mohamed, made untruthful statements on immigration filings before becoming a naturalized citizen.
• ▪Federal authorities are investigating potential fraud in Representative Ilhan Omar's family immigration paperwork, focusing on whether her birth date was falsely stated on applications.
• ▪U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated on October 13, 2026, that federal authorities are also investigating Representative Ilhan Omar's financial disclosures.