Former United States President Barack Obama has accused President Donald Trump’s administration of targeting Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar over her political views, warning that the federal investigation into the Minnesota lawmaker could set a dangerous precedent for American democracy.
Obama made the allegation in a statement posted on his verified X account on Sunday, October 18, following a federal search of Omar’s Washington, DC, residence as part of an investigation into her immigration and naturalisation records.
The former president argued that government authorities should not selectively pursue individuals because of their political beliefs or criticism of those in power.
“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,” Obama wrote.
Federal agents searched Omar’s Washington residence on October 12 under a court-authorised warrant. The Justice Department confirmed that the search was connected to an ongoing federal criminal investigation but initially provided limited details about its scope.
Subsequent reports indicated that investigators were examining allegations involving immigration paperwork dating back to Omar’s childhood.
Omar has denied wrongdoing and described the investigation as politically motivated. The allegations against her have not established that she committed immigration fraud or that she is ineligible for US citizenship.
Obama explains Omar’s citizenship history
In his statement, Obama outlined Omar’s arrival in the United States as a child and the circumstances surrounding her citizenship.
Omar was born in Somalia and arrived in the United States with her family in 1995 after fleeing the country’s civil war. She became a naturalised US citizen in 2000 and was elected to Congress in 2018.
Obama said Omar was 17 when her father became a naturalised citizen, arguing that her age meant she acquired citizenship automatically rather than needing to apply independently as an adult.
US citizenship law allows certain children under 18 to acquire citizenship through a naturalised parent when specified legal and residency conditions are met.
Obama alleged that the Trump administration was pursuing Omar based on the claim that she was already 18 when her father naturalised, potentially affecting the legal basis for her citizenship.
He also said federal agents had searched her home, seized personal records and taken her phone as investigators examined the allegations.
“Think about that. The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticise the president,” Obama said.
Investigation sparks political dispute
The investigation has intensified an already contentious dispute between Omar and Trump, who has repeatedly criticised the congresswoman and questioned her connection to the United States.
Trump told reporters after the search that authorities were examining Omar’s case, while denying that he had directed the investigation. His administration has not publicly established that the allegations against her are proven.
Obama also accused the administration of pursuing people it considers political opponents, pointing to other high-profile investigations involving figures associated with previous disputes with Trump.
He argued that even when investigations ultimately fail in court, the financial and personal consequences for those targeted can be significant.
For Omar, he said, a prolonged legal battle could generate substantial legal costs and divert attention from her responsibilities as a representative of Minnesota.
The congresswoman’s lawyers have separately challenged the conduct of the search. They alleged that federal agents failed to follow restrictions imposed by a judge, including procedures concerning access to seized materials and consultation with congressional legal officials. Those allegations remain disputed.
Obama warns against normalising political intimidation
Obama said the controversy should concern Americans regardless of their views about Omar or her politics.
“The fact that any president, or any administration, is willing to engage in such transparent efforts to intimidate someone should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views,” he wrote.
He warned that normalising the use of government authority against political critics could create a precedent that future presidents from either party might adopt.
“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,” Obama added.
The investigation is unfolding ahead of the November 2026 US midterm elections, adding to concerns about the timing of law-enforcement action involving a sitting member of Congress seeking re-election.
The central questions now concern the evidence underpinning the immigration inquiry, the legal basis for any further action and whether authorities complied with the conditions attached to the search warrant.
No final finding of immigration fraud or decision to revoke Omar’s citizenship had been established in the reports reviewed for this article.
