Dozens of House Democrats are distancing themselves from Rep. Ilhan Omar as the Minnesota “Squad” member faces a federal investigation, despite party leaders defending her and urging the Trump administration to halt the probe.
A letter led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and signed by 175 House Democrats accused the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security of weaponizing law enforcement against Omar. Federal agents searched her Washington, D.C., home earlier this month. About 40 lawmakers declined to sign the letter, which was circulated among the 214-member Democratic caucus.
“Congresswoman Omar is seeking reelection in Minnesota’s 5th congressional district in just one week. News of the search warrant, whether properly predicated or not, could affect voters’ decisions, which is exactly why federal law enforcement should not engage in such conduct when voters are casting their ballots. This type of interference strips Minnesotans of their right to a free and fair election guaranteed to them under the Constitution,” the letter states.
Still, several House Democrats declined to join the effort, signaling a measure of distance from Omar, who has repeatedly drawn controversy for her outspoken criticism of Israel and her broader foreign-policy positions.
Those who did not sign included Reps. Tom Suozzi, Laura Gillen and Josh Gottheimer. All represent districts in New York or New Jersey, where aligning themselves with Omar could carry political risks.
Former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi also withheld her signature, while current Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) signed the letter. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Washington Democrat representing a competitive district, was also absent from the list.
The divide suggests that while many Democrats are prepared to defend Omar against what they describe as a “politically motivated investigation,” others are reluctant to associate themselves with the progressive lawmaker so close to Election Day.
“This weaponization of law enforcement to harass a sitting Member of Congress 22 days before an election is unprecedented and unacceptable,” the letter states.
“DOJ has long followed a policy not to take investigative steps relating to a candidate this close to an election if delaying the action will not jeopardize a criminal investigation, a policy which Attorney General Blanche has previously invoked as far back as nine months before an election.”
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However, declining to sign the letter does not necessarily indicate that a lawmaker supports the investigation or believes Omar committed wrongdoing.
The investigation concerns allegations that Omar or her late father gave an inaccurate birth year on immigration documents. On Oct. 12, federal agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant at Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence and seized several phones and notebooks.
Omar, one of President Trump’s most outspoken critics, has rejected the probe as a political attack by Trump.
Signatories said the timing of the search was especially troubling because Omar is seeking reelection in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District and the action could affect voters shortly before they cast their ballots.
The absence of unanimous Democratic backing represents a possible shift for Omar, who has previously benefited from broad support within the party when Republicans moved to punish her.
In 2023, every House Democrat opposed a Republican effort to remove Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over past comments about Israel. Republicans nevertheless succeeded in taking her off the panel.
More recently, the House narrowly rejected a Republican resolution to censure Omar over comments she made after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The measure failed by a 214-213 vote in September 2025.
That vote reflected the sharp partisan divide surrounding Omar, as Democrats united to block Republican efforts to discipline her.
The lawmakers who stayed off the latest letter reveal the political limits of Omar’s support, particularly among Democrats who must appeal to voters outside the party’s progressive base.
The Post contacted the offices of Suozzi, Gillen, Gottheimer, Pelosi and Perez but did not immediately receive responses.