Ilhan Omar’s lawyers say federal agents ignored a judge’s limits on the search of her home
Lawyers for Rep. Ilhan Omar, Amy Jeffress and Joshua Matz, sent prosecutors a letter dated Oct. 16 saying agents ignored a judge’s limits on the Oct. 12 search of her Washington home, CBS News and The Washington Post reported. They asked for her seized phone, passport and other property back and for all recordings of the search to be kept. The letter calls the probe politically motivated. A Justice Department spokesperson said it was “riddled with false allegations and inaccuracies” and that agents followed all court orders.
Searches of lawmakers’ property raise Speech or Debate Clause protections, and a judge had already flagged missing safeguards. A fight over the search could slow the case or limit what evidence is used.
The case tests how far the Justice Department can go with a sitting member of Congress weeks before an election.
Omar’s lawyers say the search broke court-ordered protocols and violated department policy on investigations near elections.
The Justice Department says it complied with all court orders and calls the letter inaccurate.
Confirmed: the letter and the department’s denial. Not confirmed: what the probe is about in detail. Watch for a court ruling on the property.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 14 · October 18, 2026