WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers and Trump administration allies sharply criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) after she responded defiantly to questions about immigration enforcement and potential investigations tied to alleged fraud in Minnesota — including the federal welfare scandal that has drawn national attention.
In recent remarks, critics pressed Omar about whether she was concerned about a formal investigation that could affect her status as a U.S. citizen — linking it to broader allegations of fraud tied to social welfare programs in her district. When asked directly about the possibility of deportation or accountability, Omar dismissed the questions with irritation, repeatedly rejecting the premise.
Omar’s response — including statements suggesting she wasn’t worried — was seized on by Republican figures as evidence that she is dismissive of serious inquiries. Sen. Ted Cruz, among others, said the remarks highlight why aggressive oversight is needed and why lawmakers should be held accountable if allegations are substantiated.
Meanwhile, federal law-enforcement action in Minnesota is expanding. A broad investigation into alleged welfare fraud — involving hundreds of millions of dollars — has led to indictments and the deployment of roughly 2,000 federal agents in the Twin Cities. This federal crackdown has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration and fraud, with supporters arguing it’s an example of restoring law and order, and detractors saying it unfairly targets immigrant communities.
Additionally, some Republicans have pushed for subpoenas and review of Omar’s immigration and naturalization records amid persistent questions about her personal history; those efforts have sparked fierce political debate and have at times been tabled or challenged by Democrats and bipartisan members of Congress.
