04.11.2026 09:50
Somali-born Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who is under investigation by the Trump administration over her immigration history, won the midterm elections in Minnesota by a wide margin. Receiving about 77 percent of the vote, Omar defeated her Republican rival, who remained at 16 percent, by about 61 points and was elected to the House of Representatives for the fifth time. Rejecting the accusations against her, Omar argues that the investigation is politically motivated.
One of the notable results of the midterm elections held in the US on November 3 came from the state of Minnesota. Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, whom President Donald Trump has long criticized, once again received support from voters despite the ongoing federal investigation into her. Defeating Republican rival John Nagel in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, Omar retained her seat in the House of Representatives and is preparing for her fifth term.
SHE BEAT HER RIVAL BY NEARLY 60 POINTS
In the election held in Minnesota's 5th District, which includes Minneapolis and surrounding settlements, Omar received approximately 77 percent of the vote according to the announced results. Her Republican rival John Nagel's vote share remained at approximately 16 percent. Thus, the difference between the two candidates reached about 61 points.
CBS News and the Minnesota Star Tribune announced that Omar won the elections, securing her fifth term in Congress. In the district where Democrats are strong, Omar has served since 2019.
HER HOME HAD BEEN RAIDED
Omar's election victory came under the shadow of a federal investigation launched by the Trump administration. Federal officials from the US Department of Homeland Security raided Omar's home in Washington in October and seized her cell phone and some electronic devices.
According to Reuters, the investigation focuses on whether there was false information in documents submitted by Omar and her family when they entered the US as refugees in the 1990s or during their citizenship proceedings.
Federal authorities sent subpoenas to many people, including some members of Omar's family, as part of the investigation. However, the fact that the investigation is ongoing does not mean the allegations have been proven.
OMAR REJECTED THE ACCUSATIONS
Somali-born Congresswoman Ilhan Omar rejected the allegations against her and argued that the investigation was being conducted for political reasons. Describing the raid by federal security forces on her home as an attempt at political intimidation, Omar claimed that the Trump administration was using law enforcement against its political opponents.
US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, however, argued that the investigation was based on strong evidence. According to CBS News' October 16 report, no charges had been filed against Omar at that time.
LONG AT ODDS WITH TRUMP
Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-origin American elected to the US Congress in 2018, is known for her criticism of Trump's immigration policies. While fierce debates have taken place between the two politicians for years, Trump had argued that claims regarding Omar's US citizenship should be investigated.
Omar, who settled in the US with her family after fleeing the civil war in Somalia, became a US citizen in 2000. The Democratic politician also maintained her role in Congress in the 2024 elections, receiving 74.4 percent of the vote.
SHE WON IN A DISTRICT WHERE DEMOCRATS ARE STRONG
Minnesota's 5th Congressional District is among the Democratic Party's strongest electoral districts nationwide. In August, Omar also won the five-candidate Democratic primary with more than 80 percent of the vote.
Her Republican rival John Nagel, meanwhile, had focused his election campaign on issues such as strengthening border security, combating irregularities in public spending, and reforming the healthcare system. However, as a result of the election, Omar retained her strong voter support in the district and earned the right to serve another term in Washington.