‘We stand with Ilhan’: Twin Cities leaders rally around Omar after federal search
A rally planned for Monday in south Minneapolis carries a message that has echoed through statements from Minnesota Democrats and progressive lawmakers nationwide: “We stand with Ilhan.”
The gathering comes hours after federal agents searched the Washington, D.C., home of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minneapolis Democrat who has faced years of criticism from President Donald Trump. The search has prompted concerns among Omar’s allies about the timing of the investigation, the use of federal law enforcement and the broader rhetoric directed at Minnesota’s Somali American community.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations announced a “Stand with Ilhan” rally for 4 p.m. Monday at the Powderhorn Park Recreation Center in Minneapolis, inviting community members to gather against what organizers described as political intimidation.
“Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement,” Omar said. “For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation of political intimidation. I will not be silenced.”
The Justice Department confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. No further details have been provided regarding the raid.
Minnesota Democrats voice support
Omar’s colleagues in Minnesota quickly condemned the search. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith called it an attempt to interfere in the state’s elections, noting that voting was underway.
“This is their corrupt playbook: Use all the powers of the federal government to attack our leaders. Deploy an out of control, violent federal police force to invade our communities and kill and injure Minnesotans. Launch baseless and hateful attacks on the Somali community. And feed Trump's longstanding obsession with Representative Omar. Minnesota won't stand for it.,” Smith said.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the search had the hallmarks of the federal government being weaponized against a political rival.
“Trump's action marks a dangerous escalation of his authoritarian and fundamentally un-American behavior. It's also an extension of his racist attacks on Somali Americans and yet another attempt to throw chaos into our elections,” Ellison said.
The response also reached Omar’s colleagues in “The Squad,” the group of progressive Democratic lawmakers that includes Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts.
“DHS raiding a member of congress's home is exactly what a fascist police state does.,” said Tlaib. “This president should not be able to weaponize the federal government against political enemies.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington expressed solidarity with Omar, saying, “You come for one of us, you come for all us.”
House Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar also condemned the search and called for transparency and accountability from the departments of Homeland Security and Justice.
Concerns extend beyond one lawmaker
For many Somali Americans in the Twin Cities, the controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of their community. Trump has repeatedly criticized Somali immigrants in Minnesota, and his recent remarks about the community have prompted concerns about potential threats to mosques and other institutions.
Omar, who fled Somalia’s civil war as a child and spent four years in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to the United States, has become a prominent target of Trump’s criticism since her election to Congress in 2018.
CAIR and its Minnesota chapter condemned the search, describing it as political persecution and calling for greater transparency. The organization said the action should be considered alongside what it views as a broader pattern of attacks against Omar and Somali Americans.
The timing has added to Democrats’ concerns. The search occurred 22 days before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, when Omar is seeking reelection.
Justice Department policy prohibits investigators from timing actions or public statements to influence an election, and prosecutors are directed to seek guidance when the timing could raise questions. There is no blanket ban on investigative actions in the weeks before an election, and authorities have not publicly explained why the search occurred Monday.
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