Ilhan Omar Addresses Allegations in First Interview Since Home Raid
The Minnesota congresswoman called claims of marrying her brother "insane" while also discussing her financial status and security concerns.
U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar has addressed decade-old allegations that she married her brother, calling the claims "insane" in her first interview since federal agents raided her Washington, D.C. home. Speaking to MS NOW's Chris Hayes, Omar stated, "Not to my knowledge," when asked if there was any truth to the rumor that she wed her brother, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, in an effort to help him obtain a green card.
Omar explained that these allegations originated on a "Somali blog" and were later amplified by "right-wing conspiracy theorists." She characterized the idea that she introduced Elmi as her brother as "insane."
During the interview, Omar also discussed her financial situation, describing herself as "working class" and living "paycheck to paycheck." She noted that she owns a 2016 Toyota Camry as her only vehicle and rents both her D.C. and Minneapolis residences, contrasting this with the perception that some members of Congress come from wealth. This comes after documents suggested a much higher net worth for her and her husband, which she later attributed to a mistake.
The Minnesota Democrat indicated that she plans to move from her D.C. home, where Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a federal search warrant on October 12, 2026. Omar expressed concern for her safety and that of her children due to her address being made public and the death threats she receives, stating, "I can't continue to live there, so we have to figure out where to move to."
In a video posted on social media shortly after the raid, Omar urged supporters to donate to her re-election campaign, framing it as a way to "fight Trump and his administration for trying to intimidate me and so many other people right before the midterm elections." She accused the president of "running scared."
The investigation, led by the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, reportedly involves possible false statements on immigration documents regarding Omar's birth date. Sources familiar with the case indicated that more than a dozen federal grand jury subpoenas have been issued, including to Omar's relatives. Former President Trump has claimed Omar could face jail time and deportation if found to have committed immigration fraud. Omar has denied any immigration fraud, asserting she became a citizen at age 17 through her father. A separate financial investigation is being conducted by the Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office, which Omar also denies wrongdoing in.