Federal prosecutors allegedly sought to recruit a former security aide to Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar as an informant while building a potential criminal case against the Minnesota lawmaker.
Abdullahi Mohamed, who briefly worked on Omar’s security detail during an overseas trip, was allegedly offered assistance with his immigration case in return for information that could damage the congresswoman.
According to The New York Times, Mohamed’s attorney, Bruce Rivers, said investigators pressured his client for months to provide details about Omar’s immigration history, marriages and finances.
Rivers also made the extraordinary claim that prosecutors repeatedly told him the investigation was being overseen directly from the White House.
Officials allegedly described the inquiry as “100 percent being run by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,” a reference to the White House address.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my almost 28 years practicing law in federal court,” Rivers told The Times.
The allegations offer a fresh look at the Justice Department’s investigation of Omar, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing and accused President Donald Trump’s administration of pursuing her for political reasons.
Among the issues under scrutiny is Omar’s 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi. Investigators have examined whether the marriage was arranged to help a man believed to be her brother secure a green card.
Abdullahi Mohamed, who briefly served on the Minnesota Democrat’s security detail during an overseas trip, was allegedly offered immigration assistance in exchange for potentially damaging information about the congresswoman
Homeland Security officers stand beside unmarked vehicles during a search of Omar’s Washington residence on October 12
Congress has increased taxpayer-funded security for lawmakers, allowing House members to spend as much as $20,000 per month on personal protection, or up to $240,000 a year
Omar has repeatedly rejected the allegations.
Mohamed’s case began in October 2025, after he applied for a green card following his marriage to an American woman in Minnesota.
At a routine immigration interview, officials asked whether he had worked for the Somali government or interacted with American politicians and government officials.
Mohamed answered no, although he had briefly provided security for Omar during a visit to Puntland in northeastern Somalia and had visited her Capitol Hill office.
Rivers said his client’s limited English skills left him unable to fully understand the questions.
His green card application was rejected. Then, in February, the Justice Department notified him that he was under criminal investigation for allegedly lying under oath to a government official.
The felony charge carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison.
In March, prosecutors summoned Mohamed to a proffer session, a meeting in which investigators question a potential witness about information relevant to an investigation.
Rivers said prosecutors questioned him about Omar’s journey from Somalia, her marital history and an alleged $10,000 payment involving the congresswoman and one of Mohamed’s brothers.
Investigators allegedly characterized the payment as a possible bribe.
According to Rivers, prosecutors offered to help keep Mohamed from being deported if he supplied damaging information about Omar.
Mohamed’s green card application was allegedly denied, and in February the Justice Department notified him that he was under criminal investigation for allegedly lying under oath to a government official
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Mohamed’s attorney, Bruce Rivers, said federal prosecutors questioned his client about Omar’s immigration journey from Somalia, her marriages and a possible $10,000 payment involving the congresswoman and one of Mohamed’s brothers
A man is tackled after spraying an unidentified substance at Omar during a town hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 27
“The overarching theme was ‘give us everything and anything,’” Rivers said, describing the session as a “fishing expedition.”
Mohamed reportedly told investigators that he had no incriminating information about the congresswoman.
He later questioned his brother about the $10,000 payment and was told it had been used to repay a loan, Rivers said.
After Mohamed declined to cooperate, prosecutors secured a grand jury indictment against him in April.
The case shifted course several months later, in September.
Mohamed appeared before a grand jury in Washington on September 3. Rivers said prosecutors granted him immunity for statements that could potentially incriminate him.
The next day, prosecutors asked the court to dismiss the indictment, saying there was no longer a federal interest in pursuing the case because Mohamed had entered deportation proceedings.
He subsequently left the United States for Kenya, leaving his American wife behind.
Omar’s spokesperson told The New York Times that the congresswoman had never directly employed Mohamed and denounced the alleged attempt to recruit him
Rivers alleged that prosecutors repeatedly told him the investigation into Omar was being directed from the White House, describing it as “100% being run by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave”
At a March event launching an anti-fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance, Trump called Omar “one of the ringleaders” and said he hoped she would be investigated
Omar’s spokesperson told The New York Times that the congresswoman had never directly employed Mohamed and condemned the alleged recruitment effort.
“This is a staggering abuse of presidential power and a blatant weaponization of the full federal government to intimidate political opponents,” Rogers said.
In a statement, the department said the matter was “completely unrelated to any current investigations.”
The new allegations follow an October search of Omar’s Washington home by federal agents, as well as subpoenas ordering several people close to her to testify before a grand jury.
Trump has repeatedly called for an investigation into allegations involving Omar’s immigration history.
During a March event launching an anti-fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance, Trump referred to Omar as “one of the ringleaders” and said he wanted her investigated.
Vance later said he had spoken with senior White House adviser Stephen Miller about holding Omar accountable for alleged immigration fraud. Miller was promoted to chief of staff last week.
Omar, who won a fifth term in Congress last week, has denied wrongdoing and characterized the investigation as political persecution.
The White House has not publicly confirmed Rivers’ claim that prosecutors were acting under direction from the administration.
The Daily Mail contacted the Justice Department and the White House for comment.