Resurfaced Omar post draws scrutiny amid immigration probe

An old social media post by Rep. Ilhan Omar that was removed in 2019 is drawing renewed attention because it used a name for her father that resembles her former husband’s name. The post resurfaced as federal agents investigate whether she made false statements in immigration and naturalization paperwork. Omar has denied the allegations and characterized the investigation as politically motivated.

The June 2013 post wished her father a happy Father’s Day and called him “aabo Nur Said”; it was deleted Sept. 19, 2019. An archived copy had been reported by the Daily Caller that year. A 2020 Congressional Black Caucus memorial names her father Nur Omar Mohamed. Somali naming customs use given, father’s, and grandfather’s names; similarity alone does not prove kinship. A statement attributed to her spokesperson said “Nur Said” was a childhood nickname and threats prompted deletion.

Federal agents searched Omar’s Washington residence Oct. 12 in a criminal inquiry into possible misstatements in immigration and naturalization filings. Omar rejects the allegations and describes the inquiry as politically driven; her office did not respond Friday about the post.