US attorney urges court to keep Ilhan Omar’s search warrant sealed, calls release ‘rash’

The US attorney’s office in Washington has urged a federal judge to dismiss requests to unseal the search warrant used by federal agents to search Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar’s home earlier this month, arguing that releasing the records before the investigation is complete could jeopardise the proceedings.According to The New York Times, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro made the request in a 47-page court filing on Tuesday, saying the government did not necessarily oppose releasing some of the material later, subject to redactions. However, she described unsealing the records at this stage as “rash”, arguing that the investigation should be allowed to proceed until prosecutors decide whether to bring charges and make that decision public.Pirro also asked the court to give the government sufficient time to file an emergency motion seeking to block the release if the judge decides that unsealing the warrant is appropriate.Federal agents searched Omar’s Washington home on October 12, but the precise focus of the investigation has not been publicly established. Pirro has said her office is examining the lawmaker’s financial disclosures, while President Donald Trump has accused her of immigration fraud. Omar has denied wrongdoing and described the investigation as an attempt at political intimidation.Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin recently referred to an ongoing criminal investigation that could involve alleged fraud in the immigration paperwork of Omar’s family. Vice President JD Vance has also previously accused the congresswoman of immigration fraud, allegations she has rejected.Omar criticised the search on X, describing it as an attempt to target political opponents and weaponise federal law enforcement. Federal agents reportedly seized 17 items from her home, including phones and notebooks.The request to unseal the records was submitted by The New York Times and 14 other news organisations seeking greater transparency about the search and the reasons behind the investigation.The search took place weeks before Election Day, raising questions about the timing of the investigation. The Justice Department has historically sought to avoid actions that could influence elections during the 60 days before voting, although the application of that practice depends on the circumstances.Omar is seeking re-election to represent Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis and surrounding communities.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.