Federal agents seized Rep. Ilhan Omar's cellphone and served subpoenas on several of her relatives as part of an active criminal investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing.
The disclosure, first reported by the Associated Press, marks an escalation in a federal inquiry that has reached directly into the personal communications and family network of the Minnesota Democrat. The subpoenas compel testimony and document production from Omar's relatives, signaling that investigators are examining the conduct of people close to her rather than a single isolated transaction.
Omar has not been charged with any crime. No court filing unsealed so far names her as a target, and the precise scope of the investigation has not been publicly confirmed by the Justice Department or the FBI.
The seizure of a sitting member of Congress's phone is an extraordinary step, one that generally requires approval from senior Justice Department officials. Under internal department guidelines, investigators must take additional steps before pursuing records or devices belonging to elected officials, a policy designed to insulate legislative business from politically motivated searches.
Omar, 42, was first elected to represent Minnesota's 5th Congressional District in 2018, becoming one of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress. She sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has been one of the most prominent progressive voices in the Democratic caucus, frequently drawing national attention for her positions on Israel, immigration, and foreign policy.
Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the seizure or the subpoenas. It was not immediately clear which relatives received subpoenas or what testimony or documents investigators are seeking from them.
Details about the underlying allegations remain sparse. The existence of the probe was confirmed only through a single source, and federal prosecutors have not announced any indictment or public charging decision connected to the case.
House ethics rules require members to disclose certain legal entanglements, though an investigation alone does not trigger a reporting obligation unless it results in charges or a settlement. Congressional leaders from both parties have not commented publicly on the development.
The timing places the investigation squarely in the middle of an active congressional session, when Omar is expected to vote on appropriations and foreign policy matters. Any prolonged legal fight over her phone records could complicate her committee work and pull her off the legislative schedule.
