WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald J. Trump used a Rose Garden press event Monday to announce a new push to denaturalize U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). The move revives a long-running fight between Trump and Omar that began during his first term.
Trump said he believes there is “irrefutable evidence of immigration fraud,” and he said his team will seek legal steps to revoke Omar’s U.S. citizenship and move toward deportation to Somalia, where she was born. His remarks came as federal investigators continue looking into alleged large-scale fraud in Omar’s Minnesota district, along with scrutiny tied to people connected to those cases.
“This woman came to our country under pretenses, and now she’s using her position to undermine America from within,” Trump told supporters and reporters. “We’re going to fix this. No more games. Denaturalize and deport!” His comments drew loud support from the crowd, and swift backlash from Democratic leaders, who called the effort a racist political attack aimed at one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress.
Omar arrived in the U.S. as a child refugee and became a naturalized citizen in 2000. For years, some conservative critics, including Trump, have questioned parts of her immigration story, including past asylum details and marriage records. Omar has rejected those claims and has described them as smear tactics rooted in Islamophobia and anti-immigrant bias.
Large Fraud Case in Omar’s District
Trump’s announcement lands during a wide federal investigation tied to pandemic-era aid programs in Minnesota. Authorities say a major scheme targeted child nutrition funds meant to feed low-income families during COVID-19. Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Justice, say more than $250 million was taken through false claims tied to meal reimbursements.
Investigators allege that a web of nonprofits and businesses filed paperwork for meals that were never served. Recent court filings describe money being used for expensive vehicles, overseas wire transfers, and real estate. At least 70 people have been charged so far, and cases are still moving through federal court in Minneapolis.
Omar has not been charged. Still, critics point to her past support for some community groups linked to the broader programs. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), a frequent Omar critic, said the organizations under scrutiny overlap with groups Omar has backed. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Emmer said. Omar’s office has said she has cooperated with investigators and that the wrongdoing reflects individual criminal acts, not the Somali community as a whole.
Federal reports say the scheme took advantage of weak controls in the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program. Some groups allegedly claimed to serve tens of thousands of meals a day at sites that did not exist. Whistleblowers, including former workers, have described inflated invoices and alleged kickback deals. The case has shaken Minnesota politics and renewed calls for tighter oversight of federal aid programs.
Alleged Links to People Charged in the Case
The political heat has grown as attention turns to Omar’s reported ties to people charged in the fraud investigation. Sources close to the case say some defendants had connections to Omar’s campaigns or advocacy work. One defendant, described as a Somali-American businessman, donated thousands of dollars to Omar’s re-election efforts and hosted fundraisers where Omar appeared, according to reports tied to the investigation.
Trump highlighted those connections in his remarks, accusing Omar of protecting people who stole public funds. He also referenced reports claiming Omar’s relatives benefited indirectly, though no public evidence has been presented to back that claim. Omar’s team has denied any involvement and has called the narrative “guilt by association,” arguing it is meant to weaken her progressive positions on immigration and foreign policy.
In Minneapolis, the Somali-American community, the largest in the country, has largely rallied behind Omar. Local organizers have held protests and community meetings, saying the fraud cases are being used to paint an entire group as suspicious. Community leaders have stressed that many Somali refugees and immigrants in Minnesota work, pay taxes, and contribute to the city.
Federal Scrutiny of Husband’s Firm and Rapid Growth
Omar is also facing political pressure linked to a separate federal review involving her husband, Tim Mynett, and his consulting firm, E Street Group. According to reporting on the matter, the IRS and FBI opened an inquiry in late 2025 into the firm’s rapid growth after winning contracts with Democratic campaigns, including Omar’s.
Campaign finance records show E Street Group received more than $3 million from Omar’s campaign between 2018 and 2024 for consulting and digital services. Investigators are reportedly examining whether any billing was inflated or whether funds moved through improper channels. Mynett married Omar in 2020 after a public divorce. The couple later bought a multimillion-dollar home in the Washington, D.C., suburbs.
Trump mocked the situation during the press conference, saying, “From rags to riches overnight, how does that happen without something fishy?” Omar and Mynett have said their finances are lawful and transparent, pointing to filings already reported through campaign finance disclosures. A leaked IRS memo, described by sources as preliminary, suggests auditors are also looking at alleged offshore accounts tied to Mynett’s business partners, including some with Somali connections.
Political Fallout and What Comes Next
Legal experts say denaturalization is uncommon. It is usually tied to serious cases, including terrorism, war crimes, or major lies on citizenship applications. Any case against Omar would likely depend on strong proof of a materially false statement during the naturalization process, often tied to records that are not public.
The Justice Department has not said whether it will pursue Trump’s proposed action. Meanwhile, Trump allies in Congress say they are drafting a bill that would speed up denaturalization steps for elected officials convicted of related crimes.
Trump’s renewed push set off a fresh round of partisan fighting in Washington. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) backed the idea in principle, saying, “If the facts warrant it, no one is above the law.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called it “authoritarian overreach,” warning that citizenship could become a political weapon.
Omar responded on social media, writing, “This is not about justice; it’s about silencing dissent. I will fight this every step of the way.” Supporters say the effort could increase anti-immigrant hostility, with midterm elections approaching.
As the federal investigations continue, the fight around Omar is becoming a national test of how immigration law, political power, and accountability collide. Whether Trump’s plan moves forward is unclear, but the debate is already widening. For now, a sitting member of Congress is facing a public campaign over her citizenship, with the country watching what happens next.
