Democrats condemn 'deeply disturbing' raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar's home ahead of U.S. midterms

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have condemned a raid on the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota congresswoman and frequent target of U.S. President Donald Trump's personal attacks. The raid comes just weeks ahead of U.S. midterm elections.

U.S. federal agents searched Omar's home Monday, according to multiple media reports

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Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have condemned a raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar's home as "deeply disturbing" and accused the Trump administration of a "rogue abuse of power" just weeks ahead of November's midterm elections.

U.S. federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's home earlier on Monday as part of a criminal investigation, The Associated Press and other U.S. media outlets reported, citing unnamed sources.

Citing two sources familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, AP said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents carried out the search of Omar's home. But the news agency said the nature and the scope of the investigation were unclear.

In a written statement later on Monday, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said U.S. President Donald Trump had targeted Omar — a Minnesota congresswoman and the first Somali-American lawmaker in Congress — with "vile personal attacks" for years.

"Now, less than 30 days until the midterm election, his violent mass deportation machine has descended upon the home of a duly elected Member of Congress and her family," reads the statement.

Department of Homeland Security officers carry boxes from the Washington, D.C., residence of Rep. Ilhan Omar on Monday. (J. Scott Applewhite/The Associated Press)

It was also signed by House minority whip Rep. Katherine Clark and Rep. Pete Aguilar, chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

"The American people deserve transparency, and we will deliver full accountability for the rogue abuse of power from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice," they said.

Federal criminal investigation

In a written statement to CBC News, the Justice Department said HSI agents "executed a judicially authorized search warrant" in the Washington, D.C., area, which had been secured by the department.

"This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation," it said.

U.S. Vice-President JD Vance has accused Omar of committing immigration fraud, without providing details, and has said that he and deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller were trying to figure out how to investigate the congresswoman.

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Omar has broadly denied the allegations as "disgusting lies." Her office in March dismissed Vance's claims as fabricated and defamatory.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said last month that there was an "ongoing investigation" and "something's going to happen," AP reported.

Omar responded to Monday's raid on social media, saying it was "an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement."

"For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced," she wrote on X.

Jacklyn Rogers, a spokesperson for Omar, also said in an email to CBC that "the Congresswoman has done nothing wrong."

Target of Trump's attacks

Omar has been a frequent target of attacks by Trump and members of his Republican Party.

In February, Trump said Omar and fellow progressive Democrat, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, "should be institutionalized" and sent "back from where they came" after they shouted at him during his State of the Union address.

WATCH | Omar shouts at Trump during speech:

‘You killed Americans!’: Ilhan Omar shouts at Trump during speech

February 25|

Duration

0:34

The Republican leader, who has carried out an immigration crackdown since he returned to the White House in early 2025, also has described Somali immigrants as "garbage" and said, "we don't want them in our country."

In a social media post last week, Trump said "the once Great State of Minnesota is being taken over by Somali Immigrants."

Omar, a staunch critic of Trump's immigration policies, condemned the comments. "Trump's obsession with demonizing the Somali community is dangerous and reprehensible," she wrote on X.

Midterm elections loom

Monday's raid comes just weeks before the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3, with Republicans trying to retain slim control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Omar, who is running for re-election, represents a safe Democratic district where she won re-election in 2024 by a margin of 50 percentage points.

Justice Department policy bars federal prosecutors and agents from timing any action to affect the ‌outcome of any election or benefiting a candidate or political party.

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The department has historically avoided taking investigative steps against political candidates within about 60 days of an election.

Several Democrats spoke out in defence of Omar on Monday, with Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois calling the raid "an absolute abuse of power" and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, another fierce Trump critic, describing it as "straight out of the authoritarian playbook."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also said on social media: "Americans see this for what it is — President Trump is abusing his power to go after political opponents weeks before an election."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jillian Kestler-D'Amours is a senior writer at CBC based in Montreal. You can reach her at jillian.kestler-d.amours@cbc.ca.