Judge Limits DOJ Access to Omar Records in 1 Home Search as Election Nears
Updated
Updated · CNN · Oct 14
Judge Limits DOJ Access to Omar Records in 1 Home Search as Election Nears
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Oct 14
Summary
Monday’s search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington home went forward only after Judge Matthew Sharbaugh required a screening process to shield legislative materials from investigators.
The Justice Department had sought broad access in an immigration-fraud probe examining whether Omar or her late father misstated her age on citizenship paperwork in 2000 and whether she repeated false statements on later government forms.
At least a dozen subpoenas have been issued since last Friday, mostly to relatives, as prosecutors weigh a wider conspiracy case; Omar denies wrongdoing and says the search is political retaliation.
The move is unusually sensitive because voting is already underway in Omar’s reelection race and DOJ typically avoids overt steps within 60 days of Election Day.
The court fight could slow any case built on Omar’s own records and deepen scrutiny of whether the Trump administration is politicizing criminal investigations involving members of Congress.