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Politics · October 18, 2026

Obama backs Ilhan Omar amid probe, accuses Trump admin of 'appalling' targeting in lengthy statement

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Former President Barack Obama has issued a statement defending Representative Ilhan Omar following a federal investigation into her citizenship and a reported raid on her Washington, D.C., home. Obama accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the federal government to target a political opponent based on her speech, while President Trump has denied involvement, stating the matter rests with the Department of Justice. The investigation reportedly focuses on whether Omar committed fraud on her immigration paperwork decades ago, specifically concerning her age at the time her father was naturalized.

Read the original coverage

Reported across the spectrum

  • Barack Obama released a statement on X defending Rep. Ilhan Omar.
  • Federal investigators conducted a search of Omar's Washington, D.C. home.
  • The investigation involves Omar's citizenship and immigration status.
  • Obama characterized the administration's actions as selective targeting based on political beliefs.
  • Obama asserted that Omar arrived in the U.S. at age 12 and became a citizen at 17.

Reported by only some outlets

  • Fox News reported that the investigation is examining whether Omar or her father committed fraud on paperwork when she became a citizen.
  • Fox News included a quote from Donald Trump calling Omar 'totally crooked' while denying involvement in the probe.
  • Obama’s statement mentioned other perceived targets of the administration, including the New York attorney general and a former FBI director.

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CadNews does not determine absolute truth or endorse political viewpoints. It compares publicly available reporting, identifies shared facts, highlights framing differences, and flags uncertainty.