Saturday, October 31, 2026

Ilhan Omar’s case large, not weaponisation of laws: DHS

Ms Omar is accused of marrying her brother, Ahmed Elmi, to bring him into the U.S. and obtain the country’s citizenship.

• October 31, 2026
Ilhan Omar
U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the probe into Ilhan Omar, a Somali-born Minnesota lawmaker, is a large case beyond just an individual.

“This isn’t just a case that’s targeting one individual. This is a large case that we have presented to the DOJ, and the DOJ is leading the investigations,” Mr Mullin told Fox News on Friday.

The DHS Secretary dismissed criticisms that the Trump administration is weaponising law enforcement agencies against a perceived political opponent.

“And I’ll just say this again: We’re enforcing our nation’s laws, and we’re going to do that. We’re not weaponising. We’re not using political theatre on this,” he said.

Ms Omar, 44, is under probe over allegations that she married her brother, Ahmed Elmi, to bring him into the U.S. and obtain the country’s citizenship.

The Somalia-born American lawmaker has dismissed the allegations as lies that emanated from a ragtag Somali blog, accusing Mr Trump of politically unleashing enforcement agencies against her.

“The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticise the president,” former American President Barack Obama said in a post on X, describing Ms Omar’s probe as “so appalling”.

Democratic lawmakers have also opposed the investigation into Ms Omar’s alleged immigration fraud, accusing the Trump administration of weaponising federal law enforcement.

A letter dated October 26, written by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and signed by 175 House Democrats, accused the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security of weaponising law enforcement against Ms Omar.

However, fresh evidence shows Mr Obama’s administration started the probe into Ms Omar and her ex-husband’s immigration matter.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Former Speaker of House of Reps, Yakubu Dogara (Credit: Twitter)

Heading 1

Tinubu inherited terrorism, banditry, kidnapping: Dogara

Mr Dogara said the nation’s security problems are rooted in years of porous borders, illegal arms proliferation, and high youth unemployment.

Nyesom Wike

Heading 1

2027: Don’t claim victory if you fail to deliver your polling unit, Wike tells APC supporters

Mr Wike warned that individual accountability at the local level would be the sole measure of political relevance.

Ilhan Omar

World

Ilhan Omar’s case large, not weaponisation of laws: DHS

Ms Omar is accused of marrying her brother, Ahmed Elmi, to bring him into the U.S. and obtain the country’s citizenship.

President Bola Tinubu

NationWide

Railway pensioners seek Tinubu’s intervention over unimplemented housing policy

Mr Esan said the prolonged legal dispute had subjected many retirees and their families to hardship, and some affected pensioners had died.

FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed with personnel)

NationWide

FRSC begins ‘Operation Gaduma’ phase II, targets fake number plates nationwide

FRSC spokesperson Osondu Ohaeri said the Five-day operation is scheduled from Monday, November 2 to Friday, November 6.

director-general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Abdullahi Yari

Politics

Tinubu’s achievements will convince Nigerians to vote for him: Yari

Mr Tinubu had also said in Saudi Arabia on Friday that he had enormous faith in God to be re-elected in the 2027 presidential election.