Former President Barack Obama has publicly denounced the Trump administration's probe into "Squad" Rep. Ilhan Omar, calling the investigation "appalling." However, records indicate that the investigation into Omar, which centers on allegations of fraudulent marriage and potential immigration document discrepancies, actually began during Obama's own tenure.
In 2016, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that Omar's marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, who has long been speculated to be her brother, was fraudulent. The investigation stalled, however, as federal authorities determined that any potential offense occurred outside the five-year statute of limitations. The specific evidence uncovered remains unclear.
Obama voiced his strong disapproval of the Trump administration's actions, particularly referencing an Oct. 12 raid on Omar's Washington D.C. home. This raid is believed to be connected to accusations that Omar misrepresented her age on immigration paperwork when she became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Obama stated on social media platform X that federal agents had "confiscated personal records, and seized her phone — all to try and uncover a nonexistent smoking gun from 20 years ago that will somehow make their case."
He further criticized the administration's actions, suggesting the full weight of the federal government was being used to "intimidate" a congresswoman for her political criticisms. Obama warned that such tactics could become the "new normal" and set a precedent for future administrations.
Recent court documents filed by the Trump administration have referred to Omar by the name "Ilhan Nur Said Elmi." Omar has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing theories of marrying her brother as "insane" and a right-wing conspiracy. In a recent interview, when asked if she was related to her ex-husband, she responded, "Not to my knowledge."
Speculation about Omar's marriage to Elmi first emerged on a Somali forum, with claims that they married to facilitate his acquisition of a green card. Omar previously stated in 2016 that she filed for a marriage license with Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi in 2002, but the application was never finalized. She later legally married Elmi from 2009 to 2017, and while she stated they separated "in our faith tradition" in 2011, the legal separation was not completed until later. Omar then married and divorced Hirsi between 2018 and 2019.
Reports also indicate that the Biden administration was informed of concerns regarding Omar's citizenship paperwork but did not take action. Omar has not been charged with any crimes.