Obama says the administration is targeting Omar for her political views
Barack ObamaFormer president of the United States
Obama said the Trump administration is selectively targeting Omar for her political views and her criticism of the president. He said agents raided her home and seized her records and phone in search of evidence that does not exist, and he called the effort appalling.
“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. ... Federal agents have raided her home, confiscated personal records, and seized her phone — all to try and uncover a nonexistent smoking gun from 20 years ago that will somehow make their case.”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Federal agents search Ilhan Omar's home weeks before the election; Democrats allege political targeting
Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington home on October 12, 2026, under a warrant the Justice Department says a judge authorized. Omar and House Democratic leaders call the search political intimidation timed before the midterm election. Trump says the matter is up to the Justice Department.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Former President Barack Obama posted this statement on X on October 18, 2026.
Before the quotation
Obama posted the statement six days after the search. He wrote that Omar became a citizen automatically at 17 when her father was naturalized, and that the administration is trying to deport her on the theory that she was 18 at the time.
After the quotation
He wrote that Justice Department cases against others Trump considers political enemies had stalled or been dismissed, and that efforts to intimidate someone in this way should outrage all Americans whatever they think of Omar's politics.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The question in this case is whether the search of Omar's home was legitimate law enforcement or political targeting. Obama says the administration is targeting her for her political views and describes the search as part of that effort.
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More from this case
Read the full caseJustice Department disputes account that House counsel was not told of the Omar search in time
United States Department of Justice
“We dispute that. DOJ cannot comment publicly on many aspects of the investigation at this time.”Read statement
Justice Department official says no written policy bars investigative steps within 60 days of an election
United States Department of Justice
“There is no Department rule or policy that bars investigative or prosecutorial activity within 60 days of an election. The "60-day rule" is an informal practice, not written policy. ... The standard is purpose, not proximity to Election Day. Department policy does not require the Department to stop ongoing work during an election season.”Read statement
Star Tribune columnist Rochelle Olson calls on the administration to show its evidence
“It’s time for the Trump administration to show its work regarding Omar. If it has evidence of criminal behavior, lay it out and let Omar have her day in court. If there’s any truth to these claims, air them. Until then, this appears to be Trump unjustly trying to neutralize an opponent and disenfranchise her DFL constituents.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Obama says the administration is targeting Omar for her political views". First published: 2026-10-20. Last updated: 2026-10-20. https://disputeindex.com/events/6293-obama-said-the-trump-administration-is-selectively-targeting