Former President Barack Obama has criticized the Trump administration, alleging it is using the federal government to target its political enemies. These comments came in defense of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., amidst an investigation into her citizenship status.
Obama claimed that the administration aims to revoke Omar’s U.S. citizenship and deport her as retaliation for her criticisms of President Donald Trump. He warned that such actions could set a troubling precedent. “It is a basic principle of American democracy that the government can’t selectively target individuals simply because of their political beliefs or what they say,” Obama stated Sunday on X.
Obama’s remarks followed a search by federal agents at Omar’s Washington, D.C., home. The search was part of a criminal inquiry into her immigration status. Sources informed Fox News Digital that the investigation is examining whether Omar or her father committed fraud during her path to citizenship.
Rep. Ilhan Omar arrived in the United States at age 12 with her father and was granted citizenship at 17 when her father was naturalized. Obama defended her citizenship and criticized what he described as an “unsubstantiated theory” suggesting Omar was 18 at the time, which would have required a separate citizenship process.
Obama argued that the investigation targets Omar because of her criticism of the president. “The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president,” he asserted.
Fox News Digital sought comments from the White House and Homeland Security on Obama’s allegations. President Trump has denied having any involvement in the investigation. When questioned, he stated, “I’ve always found her to be totally crooked, personally, but that has nothing to do with me.” He indicated that the decision lies with the Justice Department.
Obama further accused the administration of consistently targeting political opponents. He highlighted federal moves involving New York’s attorney general, a former FBI director, and Federal Reserve members. “The fact that any president, or any administration, is willing to engage in such transparent efforts to intimidate someone should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views,” Obama emphasized.
He warned of the ramifications of such actions, noting, “Because if this becomes the new normal, there’s no reason to believe it will stop with her, or that future presidents, in either party, won’t do the same.”
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