Judge Presides Over Dispute to Unseal Omar’s Search Warrant
A federal judge, often a legal obstacle for Donald Trump and his allies, is handling a case to potentially unseal the warrant used in searching Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home. This issue arises amid two federal probes concerning her financial disclosures and alleged immigration fraud by her father. Omar arrived in the U.S. from Somalia in 1995 as a child. Questions have arisen about her father’s 2000 citizenship paperwork, which may have misstated Omar’s age, influencing her minor status and citizenship process.
President Trump, a critic of Omar, has accused her of immigration fraud, suggesting she married her brother. Following an October 12 raid on Omar’s residence in Washington D.C., Trump called for her imprisonment.
TRUMP’S COMMENTSTrump declared Omar as a disgrace and suggested she could face jail or deportation.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, an Obama appointee, oversees the case. Trump criticized Boasberg after he halted deportation flights involving Venezuelan suspects in 2025, labeling the judge an agitator and questioning his impartiality.
The search at Omar’s home occurred amid Minnesota political debates on alleged social services fraud. Following the raid executed by Homeland Security and the FBI, requests emerged to unseal the warrant from entities like the New York Times, Judicial Watch, and 14 press organizations.
Judge Boasberg requested the Justice Department justify sealing the warrant by October 22, extending the deadline later. The Justice Department claims disclosing the warrant might jeopardize the investigation’s integrity.
Pirro’s statement emphasized rejection of this request until the warrant is fully executed and charging decisions are made public, noting the investigation’s ongoing nature.
Media groups argue the search has already happened, so any sensitive information should be redacted instead of withholding the whole warrant. Meanwhile, Omar challenges the Justice Department over property seized in the search, claiming violation of congressional work protections and denial of access to legal representation.
FEDERAL AGENTS’ ACTIONSAgents seized Omar’s phone during the raid related to immigration fraud investigations.
Boasberg’s handling of record unsealing follows actions criticized by Trump. Previously, Boasberg mandated preserving Signal messages by senior officials about military strikes in Yemen during 2025, considering them potential federal records. He also signed orders barring phone carriers, during the Arctic Frost investigation, from notifying Republicans about record subpoenas.
Boasberg faced criticism for sentencing former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith, who altered an email for a FISA Court application to surveil Carter Page, linked to the Trump campaign. Boasberg called it a misguided mistake. Clinesmith received probation and community service as punishment.
Boasberg remarked that the media’s focus on Clinesmith created ample personal consequence.
Elaine Mallon reports for Fox News Digital and Fox Business on national politics.