Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar returned to social media with a request for more money, asking supporters to keep contributing as she accused President Donald Trump’s administration of trying to intimidate her before the midterm elections. The Minnesota Democrat thanked people who had already donated and promised to continue campaigning. Her appeal followed a federal search of her Washington, D.C., home amid an investigation into potential immigration fraud. Omar has denied wrongdoing.
The roughly minute-long video appeared Tuesday night, October 20th, with Omar speaking from the back of a moving car. She addressed supporters directly as her reelection campaign entered the closing weeks before November’s vote. Along with seeking continued financial support, she pledged to help Democrats regain control of Congress and pursue what she characterized as accountability for the Trump administration.
Omar began by acknowledging both the personal messages and financial contributions she’d received. “Hi everyone, Ilhan here,” she said. “I just wanted to say thank you so much for the support to everyone who sent a note of support for everyone who sent $5, $10, $20.” She turned to Trump, saying, “That goes a long way as we fight Trump and his administration for trying to intimidate me and so many people right before the midterm elections.”
The Washington Examiner reported that the appeal sought continued donations to her reelection campaign following the October 12th search. In the video, Omar accused the administration of fearing the coming election. “We know that they’re running scared,” she said. “We’re not going to be intimidated. We’re not going to be silenced. We’re not going to be scared.”
She promised to campaign alongside her supporters, naming victories in both chambers of Congress as her objectives. “I’ll be out there campaigning alongside all of you and making sure that we beat back all of this,” Omar said. She continued, “and that we win in the midterms, win the House, win the Senate, and hold this administration accountable.”
The New York Post reported that federal agents seized her phone, notebooks, computers and passport during the search the previous week. The investigation concerns possible immigration fraud. Omar’s video addressed Trump and the election without offering any response to the allegations levied against her.
Watch Omar’s appeal for donations here:
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According to Reuters, investigators are examining whether Omar or her relatives provided false information during their arrival as refugees or subsequent naturalization process. A person familiar with the matter told the outlet that the sealed search warrant listed conspiracy, false statements on immigration paperwork and immigration fraud as potential offenses under investigation.
Near the end of her message, Omar returned to the financial request. “Thank you so much again, and please continue to support us,” she said. She warned supporters that the coming period would bring significant costs and difficulties, then closed with another appeal for even small contributions: “It is going to be a very expensive and challenging time, and so we appreciate whether you’re able to send $5, $10, $20. Thank you.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.