Attorneys for Rep. Ilhan Omar accuse DOJ of violating judge’s orders to follow protocols to protect her rights as member of Congress

Updated on: October 17, 2026 / 2:54 PM EDT / CBS News

Attorneys for Representative Ilhan Omar have accused the Justice Department of violating a magistrate judge's order by failing to follow certain protocols designed to safeguard her constitutional interests as a member of Congress during the search of her home in Washington, D.C.

In the Oct. 16 letter, Omar's attorneys Amy Jeffress and Joshua Matz asked the government to immediately return the congresswoman's property, and they also demanded all video and audio recordings of the search be preserved.

"This vindictive, retributive, and politically motivated criminal investigation into one of the President's chief congressional critics violates Representative Omar's constitutional rights and threatens the separation of powers," they wrote in the letter, which was reviewed by CBS News.

In a statement, a Justice Department spokesperson disputed the claims in the letter, saying it was "riddled with false allegations and inaccuracies."

"Our attorneys and law enforcement partners complied with all court orders and legal obligations, as they always do," the spokesperson said. "Leaking a letter to the press right after sending it is not good faith. It is a publicity play."

Agents from the Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/