Ilhan Omar says federal search of her home forces her to move
Ilhan Omar, a Democrat in Congress, said she must move out of her Washington home for safety reasons after federal agents searched it, NBC News, the BBC and The Epoch Times reported. Agents arrived at 6 AM on October 12. Her husband and son were home.
Rep. Ilhan Omar says she can no longer live in her Washington home after federal agents searched it this month, according to NBC News, the BBC and The Epoch Times.
The Minnesota Democrat spoke about the search in detail for the first time in an interview with MS NOW, NBC News reported. The Epoch Times said the interview aired on October 21.
"With the death threats that I deal with," it's no longer "feasible to be in that house," Omar said, according to the BBC. She said her address had become public, The Epoch Times reported.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations began pounding on her doors at 6 AM on October 12, NBC News and the BBC reported. Omar said she had slept only about two and a half hours after a trip, NBC News said. Her husband and 20-year-old son were home, NBC News and The Epoch Times reported.
"You don't show up to somebody's house that early in the morning unless you were trying to freak them out," she said, according to NBC News.
Omar said agents showed her a warrant when she asked for one, NBC News and the BBC reported. She said they asked her to sign a paper giving up some rights she has as a member of Congress, and she refused, NBC News said.
The search took about five hours, Omar said. Agents took 17 items, including phones and notebooks, all three outlets reported. The BBC said she counted 15 to 25 agents, and she said they behaved "in a decent way."
A person familiar with the case has said possible charges include conspiracy and false statements on immigration papers, NBC News reported. Omar says she did nothing wrong and calls the case "politically motivated," The Epoch Times reported.
The Homeland Security Department sent NBC News and the BBC to the Justice Department for comment. President Trump has said he had nothing to do with the case, the BBC reported. On October 21, he said Omar could "go to jail" if fraud is found, The Epoch Times reported.
Omar is seeking a fifth term in the November 3 election, The Epoch Times said.
What we know: Omar says she will move after the October 12 search of her home.
What we don't: Whether she will be charged, and with what crime.
Where outlets agree NBC News, the BBC and The Epoch Times report that Omar said she must move for safety reasons after federal agents searched her Washington home on October 12 and took 17 items.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.