Federal agents raid Rep. Ilhan Omar’s D.C. home
ICE has raided the Washington D.C. home of Rep. Ilhan Omar.
According to the Associated Press, a search warrant was issued for the Minnesota congresswoman’s D.C. residence in what the Department of Homeland Security is calling “an ongoing criminal investigation.” No further details have been provided regarding the raid.
Omar – and much of Minnesota’s Somali community – has been a frequent target of President Donald Trump and his administration.
"This raid by Trump’s DHS is an outrageous abuse of power and an unprecedented escalation in the weaponization of federal law enforcement to target political enemies," said Jacklyn Rogers, Omar’s Communication Director.
"For a decade, Donald Trump has relentlessly targeted Congresswoman Ilhan Omar with inflammatory rhetoric, repeatedly putting a target on her back. Now, those attacks have escalated to a pointless federal raid. The Congresswoman has done nothing wrong. No president should be able to use the power of the federal government to intimidate his political enemies."
This past Thursday, Trump took to social media in a verbal attack on Somali residents in Minnesota posting, "The once Great State of Minnesota is being taken over by Somali Immigrants. There is Violence, Murder, and Mayhem all over the State. The people of Minnesota must fight back.” That post prompted area mosques to enhance security for fear of physical attack.
During the height of Operation Metro Surge, the Somali community was targeted by ICE, though the vast majority residing in the United States are either U.S. citizens or legal residents.
It is unconfirmed whether any other residences or offices associated with Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District congresswoman were subject to search.
*Editors note: article updated to include statement from Omar's communication director.
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