Ilhan Omar’s lawyers call home search unlawful, demand seized property back

Rep. Ilhan Omar’s attorneys told the Justice Department the federal search of her Washington home was “neither justified nor lawful” and demanded the immediate return of seized property. The department called their letter “riddled with false allegations.”

Attorneys for Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota have demanded that the Justice Department immediately return property seized during this week’s federal search of her Washington home, arguing in a letter sent Friday that the search was “neither justified nor lawful.”

Homeland Security officers searched the home on Monday, Oct. 12, under a warrant approved by a federal magistrate judge, and seized Omar’s phone. The lawyers also asked that all audio and video recorded by agents during the search be preserved.

“Politically motivated”

Entrance of the U.S. Justice Department building (file photo)

The letter describes the investigation as a politically motivated effort to target a Trump critic weeks before the midterm elections and says the search violated the department’s longstanding policy against investigative steps that could influence an election. It also questions whether the department followed the magistrate judge’s instructions, and argues the probe violates Omar’s constitutional rights and threatens the separation of powers.

Her attorneys say there is “no legitimate basis” to suggest Omar, who became a naturalized citizen in 2000, broke any law related to her citizenship.

Justice Department pushes back

Justice Department spokesperson Emily Covington said the letter was “riddled with false allegations and inaccuracies,” adding: “Our attorneys and law enforcement partners complied with all court orders and legal obligations, as they always do.”

The search is part of an immigration fraud investigation in which more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas have been issued, including to some of Omar’s relatives. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has pointed to her family’s immigration paperwork, while U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said “there are several investigations going on,” including into Omar’s financial disclosures. Trump has said he had “nothing to do” with the search.

Ilhan Omar’s lawyers call home search unlawful, demand seized property back