What to Make of the Trump DOJ’s Investigation of Ilhan Omar

Brittany Bernstein reported on Monday about the search of the Washington, D.C., residence of Representative Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.). When analyzing legal merits, I try not to let any political rooting interest I may have cloud my judgment. Here, my knee-jerk reaction is to root against both sides.

I find Omar a detestable figure and have long suspected she may have been complicit in immigration fraud. On the other hand, the Trump Justice Department lawfare is revolting: Regardless of whether she’s guilty, Omar is under investigation solely because she is a Trump political enemy. That’s obvious — and not just because of the Trump DOJ’s extensive track record of hounding the president’s nemeses. The DOJ is pursuing an immigration fraud case, and a criminal prosecution arising out of any fraud in Omar’s admission to the United States and subsequent naturalization as a citizen would be long time-barred under the applicable statutes of limitations. Ordinarily, the DOJ would not bother investigating crimes too stale to prosecute, but because Omar is a Trump foe, that protocol has gone by the boards.

About the Author

Andrew C. McCarthy

Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Donald Trump

Department of Justice

Citizenship

Ilhan Omar

Brittany Bernstein reported on Monday about the search of the Washington, D.C., residence of Representative Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.). When analyzing legal merits, I try not to let any political rooting interest I may have cloud my judgment. Here, my knee-jerk reaction is to root against both sides.

I find Omar a detestable figure and have long suspected she may have been complicit in immigration fraud. On the other hand, the Trump Justice Department lawfare is revolting: Regardless of whether she’s guilty, Omar is under investigation solely because she is a Trump political enemy. That’s obvious — and not just because of the Trump DOJ’s extensive track record of hounding the president’s nemeses. The DOJ is pursuing an immigration fraud case, and a criminal prosecution arising out of any fraud in Omar’s admission to the United States and subsequent naturalization as a citizen would be long time-barred under the applicable statutes of limitations. Ordinarily, the DOJ would not bother investigating crimes too stale to prosecute, but because Omar is a Trump foe, that protocol has gone by the boards.

About the Author

Andrew C. McCarthy

Andrew C. McCarthy is a senior fellow at National Review Institute, an NR contributing editor, and author of Ball of Collusion: The Plot to Rig an Election and Destroy a Presidency.