Obama condemns Omar raid

Former President Barack Obama called a federal raid on Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington home a transparent effort by the Trump administration to intimidate her.

The full weight of government

Obama wrote on X that the full weight of the federal government is being brought down on Omar because she has dared to criticize 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.”

Why agents raided her home

Federal agents raided Omar's Washington home last week as part of a probe into the congresswoman, who has been outspoken against President Donald Trump and his policies.

Timing raised alarm bells

Justice Department veterans were alarmed because the search fell close to the midterm elections and occurred during a federal holiday.

Deportation efforts underway

The Trump administration is apparently trying to deport Omar, who was born in Somalia but was naturalized as a U.S. citizen at seventeen years old.

The unsubstantiated theory

Obama said the administration is trying to deport Omar based solely on an unsubstantiated theory that she was actually eighteen when her father was naturalized.

“Now the Administration is actively trying to deport Congresswoman Omar, seemingly based solely on the unsubstantiated theory that she was actually 18 when her father was naturalized, and therefore is not a citizen.”

Possible charges cited

A person familiar with the investigation told NBC News that possible charges against Omar include conspiracy and making false statements in immigration paperwork.

Omar calls it weaponization

Omar tied the raid to Trump last week, calling it an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement against her.

“an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement.”

Obama warns of precedent

Obama said if this becomes the new normal, there is no reason to believe it will stop with Omar or that future presidents in either party will not do the same.

“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.”

Trump's pattern of targeting

Obama likened Trump's treatment of Omar to his targeting of other perceived political foes including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.