Ilhan Omar re-emerges a week after DC home raid, asks supporters for cash in video
US Representative Ilhan Omar has re-emerged publicly for the first time more than a week after federal authorities raided her Washington, DC home, posting a campaign video on her official social media channels on Tuesday night asking supporters for money.
In the selfie video, filmed from the back seat of a vehicle while wearing a blue campaign shirt, Omar said: “Hi everyone, Ilhan here. I just wanted to say thank you so much for the support, to everyone who sent a note of support, for everyone who sent $5, $10, $20.”
Last Monday, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) searched Omar’s Washington home in connection with an investigation into potential immigration fraud. Authorities are examining whether Omar or her father lied on paperwork that helped her gain citizenship.
Border czar Tom Homan has said that if the allegations are proven, Omar could be denaturalised.
Omar did not directly address the investigation or the raid in the video, but attacked President Donald Trump. She said the money received after the search “goes a long way as we fight Trump and his administration for trying to intimidate me and so many people right before the midterm elections.”
“We know that they’re running scared,” she said of Trump and Republicans. “We’re not going to be intimidated. We’re not going to be silenced. We’re not going to be scared.” Pleading for more cash, she added: “Please continue to support us. It’s going to be a very expensive and challenging time.”
Omar had not been seen publicly since before the raid. Her husband, Tim Mynett, has been seen outside the residence walking their dog, a campaign aide was spotted bringing in food, and both of her daughters arrived at the home two days apart.
Her sister, Sahra Noor, is in the US on a book tour and spoke with federal investigators last week in the wake of the raid, three sources confirmed.
In the clip, Omar promised to return to the campaign trail soon: “I’ll be out there campaigning alongside all of you, and making sure that we beat back all of this, and that we win in the midterms — win the House, win the Senate, and hold this administration accountable.”
Omar is scheduled to appear in Minneapolis on Monday for a live show. It remains unclear where she filmed the video; only trees and buildings could be seen rushing past the window.
The episode has reignited political debate ahead of the midterms. While the legal process of the investigation continues, Omar is presenting the matter as political intimidation and trying to mobilise her supporters.
Attention will now stay on both the next steps of the investigation and Omar’s return to campaigning.
