Trump Says Rep. Ilhan Omar 'Could Go to Jail' as Federal Citizenship Probe Continues

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., could face jail, not just deportation, as federal investigators look into allegations involving how she obtained U.S. citizenship.

Trump made the remarks in the Oval Office during his announcement of a new fraud tip rewards program, Fox News reported. FOX Business correspondent Edward Lawrence asked whether a problem with Omar's age could lead to her deportation.

"Well, she could be. She could also go to jail," Trump said, according to Fox News. "You know, they keep talking about deportation. No, she could go to jail."

Trump did not name a specific criminal charge or present new evidence during the exchange, Fox News reported. "This is just my opinion," he added, before calling Omar "a very dishonest person" and "a disgrace to our country."

What Investigators Are Looking At

The investigation centers on allegations that Omar or her father misrepresented her birth year on immigration paperwork, according to Fox News. Omar's father became a U.S. citizen in 2000. If she was 17 at the time, she would have automatically qualified for citizenship through him as a minor. Investigators are examining an allegation that she was already 18 and would have needed to apply on her own.

Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations searched Omar's Washington, D.C., home on Oct. 12 and took her cellphone and other possessions, Fox News reported. Omar has not been charged with any crime.

White House border czar Tom Homan said Saturday that if investigators prove someone lied during naturalization, "there is a process to denaturalize somebody." He added, "I'm not going to get ahead of the bureau or HSI, but I've been told they have a strong case, and we'll let the evidence lead where it leads."

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told Fox News Digital last week that Omar should serve time and be deported if the allegations are proven.

What Omar and Her Defenders Say

Omar denies wrongdoing. After the search, she wrote on X: "I'm ok. Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement." She said Trump has targeted her "with baseless lies and smear campaigns" for ten years.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and other Democrats have called the probe political persecution of a prominent Trump critic weeks before the midterm elections.

Former President Barack Obama wrote Sunday on X that "the government can't selectively target individuals simply because of their political beliefs or what they say," and accused the administration of doing that to Omar. He called the investigators' age theory "unsubstantiated."

The White House rejected that claim. "Unlike Joe Biden, President Trump has not weaponized the Department of Justice against his political foes," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital. Trump has previously said the matter is up to the Justice Department.

Hold Everyone Accountable.

Sources: Fox News, "Trump says Ilhan Omar could go to jail or be deported, calls her 'a disgrace to our country'" (Oct. 20, 2026, 5:11 PM ET): https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-ilhan-omar-could-go-jail-deported-calls-her-a-disgrace-our-country ; Fox News, "Obama backs Ilhan Omar amid probe" (Oct. 18, 2026): https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-backs-ilhan-omar-amid-probe-accuses-trump-admin-appalling-targeting-lengthy-statement ; Fox News, "Ilhan Omar should be jailed, deported if citizenship fraud is proven, Top House Republican says" (Oct. 16, 2026): https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ilhan-omar-should-jailed-deported-citizenship-fraud-proven-top-house-republican-says