Federal agents on Monday searched the home of Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar as part of a criminal investigation, a startling escalation that brings renewed scrutiny to the frequent target of Trump administration derision in the final weeks of her reelection bid.
The search of the Minnesota congresswoman’s home was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations agents, said two people familiar with the matter, who were not authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The nature and scope of the investigation were unclear, though Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said last month that there was an “ongoing investigation” and “something’s going to happen.”
The search took place ahead of next month’s midterm elections, in which Omar is on the ballot for reelection. Longstanding Justice Department protocol cautions against overt law enforcement actions in the weeks before an election that could influence public opinion.