Ilhan Omar, Democratic lawmaker, has won re-election to the US house of representatives for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district.
Omar secured victory in the mid-terms despite pushback from President Donald Trump and an ongoing federal criminal probe that includes questions about her immigration status.
Omar, a Somali-born American politician, has been one of Trump’s fiercest critics and has repeatedly faced attacks from the president over her background and political positions.
On October 12, federal agents searched Omar’s Washington, DC, home as part of a criminal investigation into possible fraud involving her immigration and naturalisation records.
Authorities also seized her phone and passport and issued subpoenas to some of her relatives.
Trump had called for Omar to resign from congress, reviving allegations of identity fraud, after a court filing identified the Minnesota politician by an additional name.
Omar has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and she has not been charged with a crime.Former President Barack Obama has accused Trump of targeting Omar because of her political views.
Omar has represented Minnesota, one of America’s bluest states, since winning in the 2018 mid-terms and becoming one of the first two Muslim women elected to the house of representatives.
In her victory speech, Omar said her re-election was proof that candidates would be rewarded if they led with compassion and empathy.
