Obama backs Ilhan Omar amid probe, accuses Trump admin of ‘appalling’ targeting in lengthy statement

Barack Obama has issued a lengthy statement defending Representative Ilhan Omar amid a federal investigation into her immigration history, accusing the Trump administration of using government powers to target political opponents. He warned that pursuing an elected official over her criticism of the president could undermine democratic principles and set a precedent for future administrations.

Federal agents searched Omar’s Washington home as part of a criminal investigation into whether she or her father committed fraud on immigration paperwork. Obama said Omar arrived in the United States at 12 and became a citizen at 17 when her father was naturalised; investigators are examining a theory that she was 18 at the time. Trump denied involvement and said the matter was for the Justice Department.