Former United States President Barack Obama has accused President Donald Trump’s administration of targeting Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar because of her criticism of the President, describing the alleged move to deport her as an attack on a fundamental principle of American democracy.
Mr Obama made the accusation in a post on his verified X account on Sunday, arguing that the government should not selectively target individuals because of their political beliefs or statements.
Mr Obama said the Trump administration’s actions against Omar represented a dangerous departure from democratic principles.
“It is a basic principle of American democracy that the government can’t selectively target individuals simply because of their political beliefs or what they say.”
He alleged that this was exactly what the Trump administration was doing to Omar, a Democratic congresswoman representing Minnesota.
Obama explains Omar’s citizenship history
The former President also addressed Omar’s citizenship history, saying she arrived in the United States with her father at the age of 12.
According to Mr Obama, Omar’s father became a naturalised US citizen five years later, when she was 17.
He argued that because Omar was 17 at the time, she automatically became a naturalised citizen, rather than having to apply separately at 18.
Mr Obama noted that Omar subsequently graduated from college, worked as a community organiser and became the first Somali-American woman elected to public office in the United States before winning a seat in Congress.
‘One of Trump’s fiercest critics’
Mr Obama said Omar’s outspoken criticism of Trump had made her a frequent target of the President.
“Congresswoman Omar has been one of the Trump Administration’s fiercest critics, which has led the president to repeatedly single her out as someone who he believes does not belong in this country.”
He alleged that the administration was now attempting to deport Omar based on an unsubstantiated claim that she was 18 when her father became a naturalised citizen and therefore did not qualify as a US citizen.
Obama alleges federal raid on Omar’s home
The former President further alleged that federal agents had raided Omar’s home, confiscated personal records and seized her phone while searching for evidence to support the citizenship claim.
“Think about that. 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.”
Mr Obama said the alleged action was part of what he described as a broader pattern under the Trump administration of pursuing people regarded as political enemies.
He referenced cases involving the Attorney General of New York, a former head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and members of the Federal Reserve, claiming that prosecutions in some of those cases had stalled or been dismissed because they lacked a legal basis.
Obama warns of dangerous precedent
Although Mr Obama expressed confidence that the case against Omar could eventually suffer a similar fate, he warned that the process itself could impose significant personal and financial costs on the congresswoman.
He said a prolonged legal battle could leave Omar with mounting legal bills and distract her from representing the people of Minnesota.
Mr Obama also warned that the alleged intimidation could have consequences beyond Omar.
“The fact that any president, or any administration, is willing to engage in such transparent efforts to intimidate someone should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views.”
He cautioned that normalising such actions could encourage future presidents, regardless of party affiliation, to target political opponents.
“Because if this becomes the new normal, there’s no reason to believe it will stop with her — or that future presidents, in either party, won’t do the same.”
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