House Democrats Split Over Support for Ilhan Omar Amid Citizenship Probe

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Dozens of House Democrats did not sign a letter led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) defending her ‘Squad’ member ally, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who faces a federal investigation into her citizenship. The letter, signed by 175 Democrats, accused the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department of weaponizing law enforcement against Omar due to her opposition to former President Donald Trump. The letter also claimed the investigation could influence voters in her upcoming reelection bid.

Leadership and District Considerations

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) signed the letter, but approximately 40 House Democrats did not. The absence of their signatures does not necessarily indicate belief that Omar did anything wrong. Among those who did not sign were Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Laura Gillen (D-NY), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ). Save Pelosi, most of those who did not sign hail from competitive districts and may face backlash from their own voters if they appear to side with Omar.

Investigation and Legal Context

The letter stated that the weaponization of law enforcement to harass a sitting Member of Congress 22 days before an election is unprecedented and unacceptable. It also referenced a DOJ policy not to take investigative steps relating to a candidate this close to an election if delaying the action will not jeopardize a criminal investigation, a policy previously invoked by Attorney General Blanche as far back as nine months before an election.

Despite Omar’s efforts to suggest otherwise, the investigation into the Minnesota congresswoman began under former President Joe Biden’s administration and seeks to determine whether her claim to U.S. citizenship is valid. Federal law enforcement officials recently raided her Washington, D.C., home earlier this month in search of documents related to her late father’s naturalization, which Omar claims took place in 2000. Her father’s role in the Somali military is also in question, as is her actual birth date.

Record Discrepancies

Further complicating matters, a 2023 response to a records request filed by A.J. Kern, a former primary challenger to Omar, said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services could find no record of Omar’s father’s naturalization.

Source: Daily Wire