Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the federal justice system against Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a frequent critic of the president, over an immigration-related investigation that has included a raid on her Washington, D.C., residence.
In a lengthy statement posted on X, Obama argued that the probe—which centers on allegations of immigration fraud tied to Omar's naturalization as a child—is a clear attempt to punish her for her political speech. “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.”
The investigation became public last week when federal agents executed a search warrant at Omar's home and seized her phone as part of a criminal inquiry into whether she or her father provided false information during her naturalization process. Omar, who was born in Somalia and arrived in the U.S. at age 12, automatically became a citizen when she was 17 after her father was naturalized. No charges have been filed, and Omar has denied any wrongdoing, calling the probe politically motivated.
Obama specifically rejected the theory underpinning the investigation, noting that it relies on an “unsubstantiated” claim that Omar was actually 18 at the time of her father's naturalization, which would have required her to apply for citizenship separately. “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,” he added.
The former president also drew parallels to other federal investigations that have targeted Trump's perceived enemies, including those involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. He noted that those cases have stalled or been dismissed, and predicted the Omar investigation would meet a similar fate—but not before causing significant personal and financial harm. “But not before Congresswoman Omar’s life has been turned upside down, her legal bills have piled up, and she’s been forced to spend time fighting unsubstantiated charges instead of serving the people of Minnesota,” Obama wrote.
Trump has denied any involvement in the investigation, telling reporters that the matter is up to the Justice Department. “I’ve always found her to be totally crooked, personally, but that has nothing to do with me,” Trump said.
Obama warned that the administration's actions set a dangerous precedent. “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 concluded.
