Ilhan Omar’s Lawyers Seek Return of Property Seized in Federal Search

Attorneys for Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar asked the Justice Department on Friday to return property seized during a federal search of her Washington, D.C., home, arguing that the investigation was politically motivated and the search was unlawful.

Homeland Security Investigations agents executed what the Justice Department called a “judicially authorized search warrant” on Monday as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation. Omar has not been charged with a crime. A person briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press that agents seized her phone and issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including some to relatives.

The Justice Department has not publicly detailed the investigation. Multiple outlets reported that it concerns alleged immigration fraud involving paperwork completed by Omar’s late father when she came to the United States as a child. Washington U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro separately said several investigations involving Omar were underway, including scrutiny of the lawmaker’s financial disclosures.

Omar’s lawyers said there was no legitimate basis to suspect that she violated laws concerning her citizenship and accused the government of targeting a prominent critic of President Donald Trump shortly before the November 3 midterm elections. Justice Department spokesperson Emily Covington said the attorneys’ letter contained “false allegations and inaccuracies” and that officials complied with court orders and legal requirements.

Omar called the search an effort to weaponize federal law enforcement and said she would not be silenced. Democratic leaders also criticized its timing. Trump said he had nothing to do with the search and that the matter was up to the Justice Department.