Federal agents searched Ilhan Omar’s trash for DNA evidence leading up to DHS raid: report

Federal agents reportedly collected garbage from Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar’s Washington, DC, home in an effort to obtain DNA samples from the congresswoman and her family as part of an ongoing investigation. The reported evidence collection came prior to the raid in which agents searched Omar’s residence and seized her phone.

According to NewsNation, investigators collected garbage from Omar’s home as part of a “dumpster diving” effort to obtain DNA evidence. Sources speaking to the outlet said that DNA evidence is a critical part of the investigation.

Law enforcement agencies can generally collect and examine trash that has been discarded for pickup without a search warrant.

The investigation reportedly extends beyond Omar herself to include members of her family, with evidence expected to be presented to a grand jury. Some of Omar’s relatives have been named in subpoenas.

Omar, who was born in Somalia, arrived in the US as a refugee in 1995 and became a naturalized citizen in 2000. The current investigation reportedly focuses in part on whether her age was accurately represented in paperwork that established her citizenship. Omar was listed as 17 when her father became a citizen, which allowed her to gain citizenship herself because she was under 18. However, following her election to Congress, staff for Omar sought corrections to public records that changed her listed birth year from 1981 to 1982.

The investigation also focuses on claims that she had married her brother to help him obtain citizenship.

On Monday, October 12, federal agents searched Omar’s Washington home. The raid was one of more than a dozen that took place simultaneously. President Donald Trump commented on the investigation and rejected suggestions that it was politically motivated.

“Well, I understand they’re looking at her very carefully. I’ve always found her to be totally crooked, personally, but that has nothing to do with me,” Trump said. “I think she’s a terrible person. Just a complainer. She comes from a country that is... a non-country, and then she comes over here and she complains about our Constitution.”

“I think she’s a terrible person, but that’s really up to the DOJ. I have nothing to do with it,” he added.

Omar and her current husband, Tim Mynett, are also facing an investigation regarding their finances.