On the Federal Search of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Home
In the early hours of Monday, October 12th, federal agents searched the home of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a mere three weeks before an election in which she is on the ballot — and just a day after a U.S. judge ordered a stop to taxpayer-funded ads featuring Donald Trump.
This is an abuse of power and yet another example of U.S. democracy and our collective civil liberties under attack, which Minnesotans have endured with particular pain and grief. In July 2025, I published a Statement on the Federal Approach to Immigration and the Current Crisis of Democracy. Five months later in December 2025, I published a Statement on the Irrefutable Escalation of a Democracy in Crisis. And not even three weeks after that, Minnesotans bravely resisted an influx of 4,000 federal agents in our streets, at our schools, surrounding daycares and bus stops.
While we have experienced this playbook before, the so-called “federal search” earlier this morning further proves that our country has plunged even deeper into fascism, authoritarianism, and autocracy. The use of federal law enforcement against a sitting member of Congress on the eve of an election is unprecedented, and it is unacceptable. A longstanding Justice Department practice cautions against exactly this kind of action in the weeks before an election, because of the influence it can have on voters — this is clearly a politically motivated break from protocol.
Donald Trump is weaponizing the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement against political opponents. He is manufacturing charges that courts have repeatedly dismissed, and he is using the investigation itself to imply wrongdoing and drain a political opponent’s time and resources. Tactics like this are a classic attempt to disrupt and destabilize our communities by attacking our political leaders.
Long Pattern of Attack
These attacks are not isolated. Donald Trump has continued to single out Somali Americans, immigrants, and Minnesotans for the past year. His Administration defunded healthcare, food supports, and housing —and spent instead on mass violence and family separation during Operation Metro Surge. And just last week he continued to single out Somali Americans and encourage his followers to “fight back.”
Minnesota is stronger thanks to our immigrant neighbors, and we are proud to support those who seek refuge. These unfounded attacks are designed to divide us, but we will not be deterred, because shared humanity will prevail when we rise together, in solidarity toward justice.
Ilhan came to Minnesota as a refugee and became the first Somali American elected to Congress. Somali Americans are our family, neighbors, coworkers, small business owners, and public servants. Many are Hennepin County residents and Hennepin County employees. I want to hold space for the fear so many in our Somali community are carrying right now. This fear is real, and it is clearly valid.
Congresswoman Omar is a true inspiration. For many Somali Minnesotans, immigrants, moms, people of color, and organizers — Ilhan is proof of what is possible. For nearly a decade, she has represented this area, Hennepin County, and her constituents with unwavering resolve. And she has done so with grace and love — all while enduring constant, targeted attacks from Donald Trump and this Administration. His inflammatory rhetoric has fueled death threats against her which have turned to violence.
For example, at a Town Hall in North Minneapolis on January 27, 2026, a man rushed forward through the crowd and attacked her by spraying her with an unknown liquid from a syringe. I was feet away, just behind her and alongside several elected colleagues who represent the area — and Ilhan didn’t flinch. Instead of ending the event, she ensured immediate safety and then provided rousing remarks, continuing with the program and promising the people who came to hear from her that Minnesotans do not back down. That is who Ilhan is.
My Personal Reflections
I am very proud to be elected by the people of Hennepin County District 2 to serve in this position. I have taken an Oath to serve to the best of my ability because this is the people’s seat — not mine. No public servant or elected official should use the power of their position to threaten, silence, or intimidate political opponents — because it is the people’s power, not that singular leader’s.
Political disagreement should never justify intimidation. This President should not be able to weaponize the federal government against his political enemies, nor should the people’s precious and hard-earned tax dollars be abused toward personal gain. These attacks are seemingly designed to distract us while avoiding accountability, but we will not be fooled.
By sending agents to Ilhan’s door this morning, Donald Trump sent a message to all of us. Message received, although it may not be the message intended. The people of Minnesota are not deterred. Our collective power is unbreakable, and we will not let political intimidation become normal in our democracy. I am proud to stand with Ilhan.