Obama calls Trump admin’s Ilhan Omar investigation ‘appalling', accuses officials of intimidation
WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama on Sunday, October 18, condemned the Trump administration’s investigation into Democratic Rep Ilhan Omar, calling it “appalling” and accusing federal officials of using the government’s power to intimidate one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics.
Obama’s remarks followed a federal search of Omar’s Washington, DC, home last week as part of an investigation into her immigration history.
Omar has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime, while the Justice Department has not publicly disclosed evidence against her.
Obama condemns Ilhan Omar investigation as political intimidation
In a lengthy statement posted on X, Obama argued that the government should not investigate individuals because of their political beliefs or criticism of the president.
He described Omar as “one of the Trump Administration’s fiercest critics” and said Trump had repeatedly singled her out as someone he believed did not belong in the United States.
“It is a basic principle of American democracy that the government can’t selectively target individuals simply because of their political beliefs or what they say,” Obama wrote. “But that’s exactly what the Trump Administration is doing to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota."
It is a basic principle of American democracy that the government can’t selectively target individuals simply because of their political beliefs or what they say. But that’s exactly what the Trump Administration is doing to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. To understand why this is so appalling, it’s important to know the facts. Congresswoman Omar came to this country with her father when she was 12 years old. Five years later, her father became a naturalized citizen. If Ilhan had been 18 at the time, she would have had to apply for citizenship separately. But because she was 17, she became a naturalized citizen automatically. either party, won’t do the same.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 18, 2026
Obama also challenged the basis of the investigation, which is examining allegations concerning Omar’s immigration paperwork and the circumstances surrounding her naturalization as a US citizen.
The former president said Omar arrived in the United States from Somalia with her father at age 12 and became a naturalized citizen at 17, when her father was naturalized.
Obama alleged that investigators were pursuing an “unsubstantiated theory” that Omar was actually 18 at the time, which would have meant she needed to apply for citizenship separately.
He said federal agents had searched her home, confiscated personal records and seized her phone in an effort to find evidence related to events from two decades ago.
“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.
Obama warned that the investigation could have broader implications for political accountability, saying efforts to intimidate an elected official should concern Americans regardless of their views on Omar.
“Because if this becomes the new normal, there’s no reason to believe it will stop with her, or that future presidents, in either party, won’t do the same,” he wrote.
White House defends Trump as Ilhan Omar demands seized property back
The White House rejected Obama’s criticism, defending the administration’s approach to federal law enforcement.
Spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital that “unlike Joe Biden, President Trump has not weaponized the Department of Justice against his political foes.”
She added that the department was focused on “restoring law and order and keeping Americans safe.”
.@POTUS on Ilhan Omar: "I understand they're looking at her very carefully. I've always found her to be totally crooked, personally, but that has nothing to do with me... I think she's a terrible person, but that's really up to the DOJ — I have nothing to do with it." https://t.co/v7rLg2oBD1
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 12, 2026
Trump has denied involvement in the investigation. Speaking to reporters last week, he said the search “has nothing to do with me” and that the matter was up to the Justice Department.
He also called Omar “a terrible person” and said he had “always found her to be totally crooked, personally.”
I’m ok. Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement. For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 12, 2026
Omar has described the search as an attempt to target political opponents and weaponize federal law enforcement. Her lawyers have demanded the return of property seized by agents.
The investigation has drawn scrutiny over its timing, coming weeks before the midterm elections, and because the search took place while Omar was campaigning for reelection.
