Former President Barack Obama has condemned the Trump administration’s federal search of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence, labeling the government’s actions “appalling.” In a statement posted on Sunday, Obama argued that the administration is selectively targeting individuals based on political beliefs—a practice he claims is being used against Omar.

The former president stated: “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. But that’s exactly what the Trump Administration is doing to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.”

Obama presented Omar’s explanation regarding her derivative U.S. citizenship through her father as settled history and described the investigation as retaliatory against a prominent critic of President Trump.

Federal agents conducted the search on October 12 under a court-authorized warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into Omar’s immigration and citizenship history. A federal search warrant requires investigators to establish probable cause before execution, but it does not constitute proof of guilt or a criminal charge.

Omar has not been charged with any offense, and no public evidence has established that she committed citizenship fraud. However, she has asserted the investigation is politically motivated and intended to silence her.

Omar’s legal team has demanded the return of seized property, arguing there was no legitimate basis for suspecting a citizenship violation. They characterized the search as unjustified and politically motivated.

Reports indicate that federal agents collected discarded items in hopes of obtaining DNA evidence from Omar and her family prior to the raid. However, these claims have not been officially confirmed by authorities.

The investigation has expanded to include grand-jury subpoenas seeking records from Omar’s relatives and scrutiny of her husband’s business activities and financial disclosures.

President Trump has stated he had no involvement in the search, though his past criticism of Omar has been cited as context for Obama’s intervention.

The administration maintains that the search is part of a lawful investigation process. The legal team will challenge the warrant’s legality if necessary.