Former U.S. President Barack Obama has criticized a federal raid on the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, saying the action appeared aimed at intimidating a lawmaker who has openly criticized President Donald Trump.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Obama said the federal government was using its power against an elected official because she had spoken out against the president.
“The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president,” Obama wrote.
Federal agents searched Omar’s Washington home last week as part of an investigation involving the Minnesota congresswoman. Omar has been a vocal critic of Trump and several of his policies.
The timing of the search has also raised questions. The operation took place close to the upcoming midterm elections and during a federal holiday. Former Justice Department officials expressed concern about when the search occurred, according to reports about the investigation.
Obama also criticized what he described as efforts by the Trump administration to deport Omar. She was born in Somalia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen at the age of 17.
The former president questioned the basis for claims about her citizenship. He said the administration appeared to be relying on an unproven theory that Omar had been 18 when her father became a naturalized citizen.
Obama argued that the government’s actions, including the search and the seizure of personal records and Omar’s phone, appeared to be an attempt to find evidence to support that theory.
He described the search as an effort to uncover evidence from events dating back about 20 years. He also said there was no basis for the administration’s apparent attempt to challenge Omar’s citizenship.
The investigation has drawn attention because it involves both immigration records and a sitting member of Congress. Federal officials have reportedly considered possible charges related to conspiracy and false statements in immigration paperwork.
A person familiar with the investigation said those possible charges were among the issues being examined. However, the Justice Department has not publicly disclosed evidence against Omar that would establish the allegations.
The reported investigation does not mean that Omar has been found guilty of any wrongdoing. Any potential charges would need to be supported by evidence and handled through the legal process.
Omar has also challenged the search and questioned the motives behind it. Last week, she linked the operation to Trump and accused the administration of targeting political opponents through federal law enforcement.
Her criticism reflects a wider dispute over how federal investigative powers are being used in politically sensitive cases. The administration’s actions have prompted questions from Democrats and former Justice Department officials about the timing and purpose of the search.
Obama’s remarks add a prominent voice to the criticism. As a former president, he focused on the implications of using federal authority against an elected representative who has publicly opposed the current administration.
The central questions remain whether investigators have evidence to support any potential charges and what legal grounds they may cite in examining Omar’s immigration history. The government has not publicly provided details sufficient to resolve those questions.
The case also highlights the difference between investigating alleged wrongdoing and taking action against a person based on political disagreement. Critics say the timing and circumstances of the raid deserve scrutiny, while the legal process will determine whether any allegations can be substantiated.
Omar remains a member of Congress, and the investigation has not established that she committed a crime. The Justice Department has yet to publicly lay out its evidence or announce final charges connected to the reported inquiry.
For now, Obama’s criticism has intensified public attention on the raid and the questions surrounding Omar’s citizenship. Further details from investigators or court proceedings may clarify the scope of the probe and whether prosecutors intend to take additional action.
