New Facts: Omar's attorneys accuse DOJ over search violations

On Oct. 16, attorneys Amy Jeffress and Joshua Matz told the Justice Department it broke a magistrate judge’s protocols during the Oct. 12 search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington home. They demanded the immediate return of her property and preservation of all audio and video from the search.

After back-and-forth over whether protections for legislative work apply to a home search, a magistrate judge required steps to shield Omar’s legislative records from executive-branch review under the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause. The letter says agents failed to notify Omar or the House Office of General Counsel before the search and did not present the warrant at the outset. It also says they blocked her from reaching a lawyer for more than an hour and failed to explain those protections or seek a waiver.

The Justice Department disputed the allegations and maintains agents complied with court orders. Omar’s lawyers also objected to taking such investigative steps so close to an election, arguing it conflicts with department practice meant to avoid affecting campaigns.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources