Ilhan Omar posts video seeking funds after DC residence raid

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., re-emerged on Tuesday night by posting a campaign video to her official social media channels asking supporters for financial contributions. The clip marked her first public appearance since Homeland Security Investigations raided her Washington, D.C., residence last Monday. The search was conducted in connection with an investigation into potential immigration fraud, specifically probing whether Omar or her father provided false information on paperwork that facilitated her citizenship.

In the selfie-style video, Omar appeared in the back seat of a moving vehicle wearing a blue campaign shirt. She thanked supporters for sending notes and monetary contributions of $5, $10, or $20. While the footage showed trees and buildings passing by the window, the specific location from which she was filming was not immediately clear. Omar did not directly address the investigation or the raid in the clip, but she attributed the federal action to an effort by President Donald Trump and his administration to intimidate her and other opponents ahead of the midterm elections. She stated that the funds received would help fight this intimidation and declared that she and her allies would not be silenced or scared.

Omar promised to return to the campaign trail to contest the midterms, aiming to win control of the House and Senate and hold the administration accountable. Her return to public view follows a week of limited communication, during which she had only issued written statements. In one such statement posted to X, she characterized the raid as a misuse of authority that represented a new level of using federal law enforcement to go after political adversaries. She asserted that she had done nothing wrong and that no president should use federal power to intimidate political rivals.

The raid, first reported by Fox News Digital, resulted in the seizure of various items, including Omar’s passport and phone. This detail has fueled speculation about her whereabouts, with some suggesting she may have fled the country, though this remains unclear. Her husband, Tim Mynett, has been seen outside the residence walking their dog, and a campaign aide was spotted bringing in food. Additionally, both of Omar’s daughters arrived at the home on separate days during that period. Her sister, Sahra Noor, who is currently in the U.S. on a book tour, spoke with federal investigators last week following the raid, according to three sources who confirmed this to Fox News Digital.

Border czar Tom Homan has stated that if the allegations are proven true, Omar could be denaturalized. President Trump reinforced this threat on Tuesday from the Oval Office, suggesting Omar could face jail time if the claims are accurate. He referred to her as a dishonest person who hates the country, while noting that his comments were his opinion. Omar is currently scheduled to appear in Minneapolis on Monday for a live show with streamer Hasan Piker.