Ilhan Omar Hires Top Lawyers Amid Federal Probe

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has retained two prominent Washington attorneys, Amy Jeffress and Joshua Matz of the firm Hecker Fink, to represent her in an intensifying federal probe. The investigation centers on her immigration history and revisions to her financial disclosure forms.

Jeffress previously served as President Biden’s personal attorney and represented former FBI lawyer Lisa Page during investigations into anti-Trump texts. She also played a role in the House Jan. 6 committee’s efforts to compel testimony from officials. Matz represented House Democrats during both impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump and also worked with the Jan. 6 committee. He has also represented universities in legal battles against Trump administration executive orders.

The probe, being handled by the U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Omar's finances. Court documents related to the search of Omar's home mention an alias, Nur Said Elmi, drawing attention to investigators' interest in her immigration background. Allegations previously surfaced on a Somali blog suggesting her ex-husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, is her brother.

Omar, who recently stated she lives "paycheck to paycheck" despite a $174,000 congressional salary, has also claimed she was unable to contact her attorney for an hour after federal agents searched her home. Her campaign filings show no payments made to Jeffress or Matz's firm as of the Oct. 15 filing deadline.

Jeffress and Matz sent a seven-page letter to the Department of Justice demanding the return of Omar's passport, electronics, and other seized property. Former President Trump has publicly called for Omar's immediate resignation, citing claims that she was sworn into office under a different name.