A government watchdog filed a Hatch Act complaint on Tuesday against several federal agencies following the search of Rep. Ilhan Omar's (D-Minn.) residence, arguing the operation was politically motivated and improperly timed.
The Democracy Defenders Fund, a nonprofit ethics group, called for an investigation into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its acting secretary, Markwayne Mullin, as well as Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Justice Department, and Joseph Edlow, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The group described the raid as "outrageous" and alleged it was designed to influence the upcoming midterm election.
"This unprecedented raid occurred a mere four days before general early voting begins in Minnesota and appears to be timed to influence voters in the upcoming midterm election," the complaint states.
In a post on X, Democracy Defenders Fund co-founder Norm Eisen called the search a "textbook" case of authorities using "criminal power to affect an election." The group filed the complaint alongside Richard Painter, who served as chief ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush.
The complaint, addressed to U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) special counsel Charles Baldis, names Mullin, Edlow, and Blanche, along with any other DHS and DOJ employees who may have been involved. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty or on federal property.
Federal agents searched Omar's home on Monday morning as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Homeland Security Investigations agents executed the search, according to a DOJ spokesperson. The Justice Department said in a statement: "This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation."
Omar, who is seeking reelection in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District against Republican John Nagel, condemned the raid on social media, calling it "political intimidation." She wrote on X: "I'm ok. Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement. For ten years, [President] Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation."
The timing of the raid has drawn scrutiny, especially as the search of Omar's home coincides with broader concerns about the administration's use of federal power. Nonpartisan forecaster Decision Desk HQ rates the district as a "safe" Democratic victory, with Omar leading by nearly eight points as of Oct. 10.
Neither DHS nor the DOJ immediately responded to requests for comment on the complaint. The OSC has not yet indicated whether it will launch an investigation.
This complaint adds to a growing list of legal challenges against the administration's actions, including Schumer's vow of more legal challenges after a judge blocked Trump's ad spending, and comes amid intensifying legal battles over press freedoms.
