Washington, D.C., was abuzz when news broke of a federal investigation targeting a prominent congresswoman’s finances.
The Department of Justice, under President Joe Biden’s administration, initiated a probe into Rep. Ilhan Omar’s personal finances, campaign expenditures, and connections with a foreign national in June 2024. Federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., collaborated with the DOJ’s public integrity unit to examine Omar’s financial disclosures and campaign records. The investigation, which ultimately stalled due to insufficient evidence, came to light on January 26, after a social media post by President Donald Trump referenced it.
Critics of Omar have long raised eyebrows over her financial dealings, arguing that this latest inquiry, though inconclusive, underscores the need for stricter oversight of elected officials. The probe’s focus on campaign spending and foreign contacts fuels ongoing debates about transparency in politics. While no evidence was found to push the investigation forward, the mere existence of such a review invites scrutiny.
Long before the 2024 DOJ probe, Omar faced questions about her campaign finances. Back in 2019, the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board investigated allegations that she misused nearly $6,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, including payments to her divorce attorney and travel costs, the Daily Caller reported.
That earlier inquiry also revealed that Omar filed joint tax returns in 2014 and 2015 with Ahmed Hirsi while still legally married to another individual. Minnesota regulators ultimately fined her $3,500 for issues related to those tax filings and campaign fund misuse between 2016 and 2017.
Adding to the financial puzzle, Omar’s campaign paid substantial sums to E. Street Group, a consulting firm co-owned by political strategist Tim Mynett. Federal Election Commission records show payments totaling over $1.7 million to the firm since 2018, with more than $600,000 disbursed in just three weeks during her 2020 re-election bid.
Divorce filings from Mynett’s wife alleged that his travel with Omar was unrelated to professional duties, hinting at personal ties. While these claims remain unproven, they’ve kept the spotlight on Omar’s campaign spending practices. The sheer volume of payments—$21,547 starting in April 2019 alone—raises valid questions about accountability.
The 2024 DOJ investigation, though it fizzled out, isn’t the first time Omar’s finances have been under the microscope, and likely won’t be the last. For many, it’s not about personal vendettas but about ensuring public trust in how elected officials handle donor money.
President Trump didn’t hold back when he weighed in on the matter via Truth Social on January 26, 2026, though he misspelled Omar’s name in the process. “The DOJ and Congress are looking at ‘Congresswoman’ Illhan Omar, who left Somalia with NOTHING, and is now reportedly worth more than 44 Million Dollars,” he posted. “Time will tell all,” he added, tying the issue to changes in immigration enforcement in Omar’s Minneapolis-area district.
Omar was quick to respond, dismissing Trump’s comments as baseless distractions. “Sorry, Trump, your support is collapsing and you’re panicking,” she posted on social media. “Right on cue, you’re deflecting from your failures with lies and conspiracy theories about me.”
She didn’t stop there, doubling down on her defense. “Years of ‘investigations’ have found nothing,” Omar continued. “Get your goons out of Minnesota.”
While Omar denies any wrongdoing, the repeated investigations—whether in 2019 or 2024—paint a picture of persistent distrust among some circles. Her sharp retort to Trump may resonate with supporters, but it sidesteps the deeper issue of why these probes keep emerging.
The DOJ’s decision to drop the 2024 investigation due to lack of evidence doesn’t fully close the book on Omar’s financial story.
For those wary of unchecked power, the pattern of questionable campaign payments and past fines signals a need for tighter rules, not just for Omar but for all public servants.
Public integrity isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a principle. Even as this latest inquiry fades, the call for clarity in how politicians manage funds won’t disappear. Taxpayers deserve to know their contributions aren’t being misused, no matter who’s in the hot seat.
