Federal agents seized Ilhan Omar’s phone, laptop in D.C. home search

Federal agents seized Rep. Ilhan Omar’s laptop, cellphone and passport during a search of her Washington, D.C., home earlier this week, a source familiar with the investigation told MS NOW, as new details emerge about the scope of a federal investigation into potential immigration fraud targeting the Minnesota Democrat.

Agents also took multiple notebooks during Monday’s search, which involved roughly 20 Homeland Security Investigations agents who remained at the home for a “long time,” according to the source. Omar was present for at least part of the search and did not provide investigators with passwords to her devices.

The search warrant authorized agents to seize Omar’s electronic devices and passports, as well as immigration records involving Omar and her relatives, the source said. It listed potential violations involving immigration fraud, false statements in immigration proceedings and conspiracy, but did not identify any alleged crimes that would seem to relate to Omar’s financial disclosures or those of her husband, Tim Mynett.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said this week that her office is investigating potential improprieties related to Omar’s financial disclosures.

CNN reported Wednesday that U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh restricted prosecutors’ access to Omar’s records before approving the search warrant, citing constitutional protections for members of Congress, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation.

Those restrictions are expected to limit investigators’ access to material on Omar’s devices that may be protected under the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause, which shields lawmakers’ legislative activities from certain government scrutiny.

The source told MS NOW that Justice Department prosecutors have not been in contact with Omar or her legal team since Monday’s search.

The search came just three weeks before the midterm elections, when Omar is seeking re-election. The DOJ generally seeks to avoid overt investigative actions close to an Election Day that could affect an election.

Omar has not been charged with a crime. She has denied wrongdoing and accused the Trump administration of political intimidation.

“This is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement,” Omar wrote Monday. “For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. I will not be silenced.”

CNN also reported that investigators are examining whether Omar or her late father made false statements about her age when she obtained U.S. citizenship in 2000. At least a dozen subpoenas have been issued to witnesses, many of whom are Omar’s relatives, according to multiple outlets.

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