Former US President Barack Obama has accused the Trump administration of using the federal government against its political opponents. He made the claim while defending Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who is under investigation over her immigration status.
Obama posted his remarks on X on Sunday. He said the administration is trying to strip Omar of her US citizenship and deport her because she criticises President Donald Trump.
What Prompted Obama’s Post
Federal agents searched Omar’s home in Washington, DC, on October 12. The search was part of a criminal investigation into her immigration status.
Sources earlier told Fox News Digital that investigators are checking whether Omar or her father committed fraud on immigration paperwork. The paperwork dates back to when she became a citizen decades ago.
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, has said Omar could lose her naturalisation and face deportation if fraud is proven.
Obama Lays Out His Version of the Facts
Obama urged people to look at the facts. He said Omar came to the US with her father at age 12. According to him, she became a citizen automatically at 17, when her father was naturalised.
He accused investigators of chasing an “unsubstantiated theory.” That theory holds that Omar was actually 18 at the time. If so, she would have needed to apply for citizenship on her own.
“The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president,” he wrote.
“It Should Outrage All Americans”
Obama said the government cannot target people because of their beliefs or speech. “But that’s exactly what the Trump Administration is doing to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota,” he wrote.
He also listed other cases he sees as part of a pattern. They include federal actions involving New York’s attorney general, a former FBI director and members of the Federal Reserve.
He warned that the stakes go beyond Omar. “The fact that any president, or any administration, is willing to engage in such transparent efforts to intimidate someone should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views,” he said.
He added that if this becomes normal, future presidents from either party could do the same.
Trump Denies Involvement
Trump has denied any role in the case. He told reporters earlier that the matter is up to the Justice Department. “I’ve always found her to be totally crooked, personally, but that has nothing to do with me,” he said.
Fox News Digital has asked the White House and the Department of Homeland Security to respond to Obama’s claims.
