Rep. Omar accuses Trump of political intimidation after agents search her home – PBS News

October 13, 2026

2026-07-20T233735Z_1558090482_RC2YHMAK2FYQ_RTRMADP_3_USA-ELECTION-MINNESOTA-1200x804 — U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks during a campaign rally for Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is running against Angie Craig for the Democratic nomination to fill Tina Smith's senate seat, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., July 20, 2026. REUTERS/Tim Evans

A woman wearing a denim shirt and a dark headscarf speaks into a microphone at a podium, with a blurred background and purple lighting. — U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks during a campaign rally for Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is running against Angie Craig for the Democratic nomination to fill Tina Smith’s senate seat, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., July 20, 2026. REUTERS/Tim Evans

Federal agents searched the Washington, D.C., home of Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations were seen carrying boxes from the home. Rep. Omar accused the Trump administration of political intimidation. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Devlin Barrett, a New York Times reporter and author of “The Department of Revenge.”

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Geoff Bennett:

Federal agents searched the Washington, D.C., home of Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early this morning. The reason for the search has not been made public. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative arm of ICE, were seen carrying boxes from the home into an unmarked car.

Omar accused the Trump administration of political intimidation, writing on social media — quote — “Make no mistake, this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement.”

For more, we’re joined now by Devlin Barrett, Justice Department reporter for The New York Times and author of the book “The Department of Revenge: How Trump Took Control of American Justice.”

Devlin, always great to have you with us.

So the DOJ says this search is part of an ongoing criminal investigation. What have you learned about what prompted it and what investigators are looking for?

Devlin Barrett, The New York Times:

So, Geoff, the Trump administration has been signaling just such a move for months now. If you go back to the spring, J.D. Vance, the vice president, said that Ilhan Omar — quote — “definitely committed immigration fraud.”

And DHS officials have since said they’re investigating. So this move isn’t much of a surprise, but I think it does speak to the way that law enforcement actions keep happening at the at the impetus and prodding of the White House.

And what’s at issue here, according to our sources, is all the paperwork in the congresswoman’s family that led them to becoming U.S. citizens. That’s paperwork that her father filled out, paperwork that was done later. And what they’re investigating is false statements on immigration documents potentially and various types of fraud and conspiracy.

Geoff Bennett:

A federal judge had to approve this search warrant, so what does that suggest about the evidence investigators presented? Would it have been the sort of documents that you’re talking about?

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