Conservative commentator Benny Johnson questioned the whereabouts of Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar on Wednesday during a Newsmax interview, following a Department of Homeland Security search of her Washington home that seized electronic devices and documents.
Federal agents searched Omar’s residence Monday and seized her cellphone, notebooks, personal computers, and passport, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal. The Associated Press independently confirmed the phone seizure and reported that authorities issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of Omar’s relatives.
What Happened
Johnson, host of “The Benny Johnson Show,” said he had spoken with three former Department of Homeland Security secretaries and described the situation as “very scary times for Ilhan Omar.” He expressed support for the Trump administration’s investigation and cited federal statutes regarding the authority to cancel citizenship documents obtained through fraud.
The Wall Street Journal reported that federal investigators are examining whether Omar or her late father misrepresented her age on citizenship paperwork, potentially allowing her to obtain citizenship automatically through her father’s naturalization. Omar, who arrived in the United States from Somalia in 1995, became a U.S. citizen in 2000. The Journal also reported that federal authorities examined similar allegations during the Biden administration but did not pursue them due to insufficient evidence.
Johnson noted that Omar, who regularly appears in media interviews, has not been visible publicly in recent weeks. “Nobody has seen Ilhan Omar for weeks. Nobody knows where she is. She hasn’t made any statements,” he said. “She’s ubiquitous on cable TV. She’ll talk to reporters. She loves being on camera. Then suddenly, nothing.”
The Reaction
Omar responded to Monday’s search through a statement posted to X, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to “target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement.” She wrote that the investigation represented “the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation” and denied the underlying allegations. Her office told the Journal that the investigation had “no basis.”
Omar’s finances are also facing separate scrutiny. Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, confirmed Tuesday that her office is investigating issues involving the congresswoman’s financial disclosures. CBS News reported that Omar attributed discrepancies in the reported value of her husband’s businesses to an accounting error and subsequently filed an amended disclosure.
Omar has repeatedly denied committing immigration fraud. Johnson, however, raised long-standing allegations regarding Omar’s immigration history and family relationships, questioning whether she legally obtained citizenship. “I do wonder, in fact, if this is going to lead to the largest immigration scam in American history,” he said.
What This Means
Johnson argued that if the allegations are substantiated, they would raise questions about Omar’s role in voting on immigration matters. “You have somebody who’s a literal fraudster, an immigration fraudster, voting on those issues,” he said. The commentator thanked the Trump administration for the investigation, saying: “I just have one thing to say to the Trump administration. Thank you. Thank you for taking out the trash.”
Revoking naturalization, however, generally requires federal court proceedings under a separate statute, meaning any action against Omar would involve substantial legal processes before reaching resolution. The scope and timeline of the federal investigation remain unclear.
