Obama Slams Trump Probe of Ilhan Omar as Appalling
Former President Barack Obama on Sunday condemned the Trump administration's investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar's citizenship. He called it political retaliation against a critic.
Agents seized her laptop, phone, passport and family immigration documents.
A federal magistrate judge signed the warrant, with safeguards for legislative materials.
The probe examines whether Omar's father misstated her age when she gained citizenship.
Why it matters: The case tests whether federal law enforcement is being used against the president's critics. Obama said, "if this becomes the new normal, there's no reason to believe it will stop with her."
60 days before elections, the Justice Department generally avoids overt investigative steps.
Obama cited the dismissed or dropped cases against Letitia James, James Comey and Jerome Powell.
Obama Slams Trump Probe of Ilhan Omar as AppallingYou are hereLatest
How 6 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean% of 6 sources
6 sources · 6 articles · 67% Left coverage
Where they split: Coverage divides over whether the search reflects political targeting or a lawful process approved by a judge.
Left coverage, 4 sources: The left sees Obama's statement as a rare, pointed rebuke of an administration using federal power against an outspoken critic.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right sees a judge-approved investigation following due process, with Obama inserting himself into an unresolved legal matter.
