Report: Ilhan Omar's Ex-Bodyguard Was Allegedly Pressured During Investigation
Is this political persecution run by the White House or equal application of the law?
Story
Above: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar speaks with supporters after winning reelection for a fifth time in Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District on Nov. 3. Image credit: Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune
The Facts
- Federal prosecutors charged Abdullahi Mohamed, who briefly worked as a bodyguard for Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), with lying under oath, a case his lawyer described in a New York Times report Wednesday as a bid to obtain incriminating information on her.
- Bruce Rivers, Mohamed's Minneapolis defense lawyer, said prosecutors spent months pressing his client to become an informant and repeatedly told them the Omar investigation was "100% being run by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.," the White House address.
- At a March proffer meeting, investigators asked Mohamed about Omar's immigration journey from Somalia, her 2009 marriage and a $10,000 payment involving Omar and his brother that they called a possible bribe. His brother said it had settled a loan.
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The Spin
Left narrative
Dangling deportation relief over someone to mount a bad-faith attack on a sitting congresswoman is the behavior of an authoritarian regime. Prosecutors openly saying the case was run out of the White House shows political hunting. Voters answered with more than 76% backing at the ballot box.
Right narrative
Public office is a trust, not a shield, and lingering questions about a 2009 marriage, joint tax filings with a different man and improper campaign spending deserve real answers. Lying under oath on a green card application draws charges every day, and proximity to a member of Congress is no immunity card. Equal application of the law is the whole point.
