Legal complaint alleges Hatch Act breach in search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home

Democracy Defenders Fund submitted a formal complaint to Special Counsel Charles Baldis, asserting that a predawn search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s D.C. house on October 12 may have breached the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from influencing elections. The filing names Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Attorney General Todd Blanche, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow and any other Justice Department or Homeland Security staff involved, accusing them of a politically motivated use of power to affect the Minnesota congressional race.

The organization argues the timing—just weeks before the November midterms and shortly before early voting began—suggests intent to damage Omar’s campaign. The Justice Department maintains the raid is linked to an ongoing probe into alleged immigration fraud dating back decades, a claim Omar has repeatedly rejected. While some Republicans defend the investigation, the complaint seeks an administrative review rather than a court lawsuit, and no confirmation of a formal inquiry by the Office of Special Counsel has been made.