Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning, according to two people familiar with the investigation.
\n\nHomeland Security Investigations, part of the Department of Homeland Security that conducts criminal probes, “executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice,” a DOJ spokesperson said in a statement. “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
\n\nThe statement did not specify that the warrant was related to Omar and did not provide further information about the nature of the investigation.
\n\nA person familiar with the investigation said the probe is part of a years-long criminal investigation that involves whistleblowers.
\n\nA spokesperson for Omar, D-Minn., did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on the search, which was first reported by Fox News. The White House and Department of Homeland Security referred questions about the search to the Justice Department.
\n\nThe timing puts the search under added scrutiny: There are 22 days until the midterm elections. Omar is running for re-election in Minnesota. There’s longstanding Justice Department practice that tells prosecutors to be especially careful about actions near an election that could appear to help or hurt a candidate.
\n\nThere…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business