Federal security agents search the home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
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Federal security agents searched the home of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar in Washington on Monday as part of a criminal investigation, marking a major escalation in the confrontation between President Donald Trump and the congresswoman known for her sharp criticism of him.
The search operation took place three weeks before the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress, and was carried out by agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Fox News, citing informed sources.
The channel reported that the operation is linked to a criminal fraud investigation regarding immigration papers submitted by her late father on behalf of the Somalia-born congresswoman when she was a child.
For his part, Tom Homan, the official in charge of border law enforcement in the Trump administration, told Fox News that he did not wish to disclose details before any official announcement, but confirmed that "an investigation had been underway for some time" and that "a judicial warrant was executed this morning."
Reports indicated that the search began around 6:00 a.m., when agents wearing Homeland Security vests were seen outside the congresswoman's residence in Washington, according to the channel.
The Department of Justice confirmed in a statement on Monday that agents had executed a "judicially authorized search warrant" in the Washington area, but officials did not identify Omar or the nature of the investigation.
Prosecutors added that this operation is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.
Omar wrote on the X platform, "This is an attempt to target political opponents and weaponize federal law enforcement agencies."
She added, "For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation."
Commenting on the search operation, Trump told reporters at the White House, "I have always considered her a totally corrupt person, but this has nothing to do with me. I think she is a terrible person, and a big complainer. She comes from a country that is not a country."
Ilhan Omar (44) is a leftist Democrat and one of Trump's fiercest critics, particularly regarding the broad campaign his administration is waging against undocumented immigrants.
The Republican president has had repeated clashes with Omar, who came to the United States from Somalia as a child and has frequently been the target of his political attacks.
