Ilhan Omar to Move After Pre-Dawn Raid on Her Home

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar has announced she can no longer live in her Washington D.C. home following a pre-dawn raid by federal agents last week, citing fears for her safety and that of her children. The congresswoman stated that the exposure of her address makes the residence untenable given the ongoing death threats she receives.

In her first public interview since the October 12th search, Omar described how Homeland Security Investigations agents seized over a dozen items, including cell phones and notebooks, as part of an investigation. The government has not specified the crime Omar is accused of, only stating the raid was "part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation."

The search and seizure operation occurred around 6:00 AM EDT and lasted approximately five hours. Omar reported that between 15 to 25 agents surrounded her home. Agents presented a warrant before entering and collected items including multiple cell phones, notebooks, and a 1960s camera belonging to her husband. Personal computers and her passport were also reportedly among the seized items.

This investigation follows comments from officials that have questioned Omar's U.S. citizenship, which she obtained in 2000 after immigrating from Kenya. Multiple subpoenas have also been issued to members of Omar's family as part of the inquiry.

Omar criticized the government's actions, calling the raid an "outrageous abuse of power" and the "weaponisation of federal law enforcement to target political enemies." Former President Barack Obama has also condemned the federal probe, describing it as "so appalling."

Omar, who has represented Minnesota since 2018, has been a frequent target of former President Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly suggested Omar should "go back" to Somalia and, despite denying involvement in the investigation, commented at an Ohio rally that "she's a disaster."

Omar rejected Trump's assertion of no involvement, arguing that "he's got everything to do with it," referencing his past statements from 2019 demanding she be sent back or deported.