WASHINGTON — Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar has challenged a federal search of her home near Washington, D.C., accusing President Donald Trump’s administration of using the investigation for political purposes and demanding the return of property seized by investigators.
Omar’s lawyers sent a letter on Friday to prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Justice questioning the legality of the search and the manner in which it was carried out, CNN reported, citing a copy of the letter.
The lawyers described the operation as political retaliation against one of Trump’s most outspoken critics in Congress, raising concerns about Omar’s constitutional rights and the separation of powers in the United States government.
Federal agents searched the congresswoman’s home on Monday morning after a federal judge signed a search warrant, according to information cited in reports about the investigation.
The probe reportedly concerns allegations involving immigration-related fraud, allegedly false information in government documents and possible conspiracy. The precise scope of the investigation and the evidence supporting the allegations were not fully detailed in the information provided.
The search warrant also reportedly placed limits on the Justice Department’s authority to obtain certain documents, according to details cited in the report.
Omar has strongly disputed the legal basis for the search and is seeking the return of property taken by federal authorities. Her legal team questioned whether investigators had acted within the limits of the warrant and argued that the operation raised broader constitutional concerns.
The congresswoman, who represents Minnesota, has frequently criticised Trump and his administration, making her a prominent figure in the political divide between Democrats and Republicans.
Omar also pointed to her personal history, saying she became a U.S. citizen in 2000 after fleeing Somalia in 1995.
The case comes amid heightened political tensions in Washington, where investigations involving public officials have repeatedly triggered disputes over the independence of law enforcement and the potential use of federal agencies for political purposes.
The allegations under investigation remain allegations, and the search itself does not establish wrongdoing by Omar. Further details about the evidence, the status of the investigation and the government’s response to her lawyers’ objections were not available in the information provided.
