Federal prosecutors allegedly tried to recruit a former bodyguard for Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar as an informant in an effort to build a criminal case against her.
Abdullahi Mohamed, who briefly worked on a security detail for the Minnesota Democrat during an overseas trip, was allegedly offered help with his immigration case in exchange for providing damaging information about the congresswoman.
His lawyer, Bruce Rivers, said investigators spent months pressuring his client to provide information about Omar’s immigration history, marriage and finances, according to the New York Times.
In an extraordinary allegation, Rivers claimed prosecutors repeatedly told him the investigation into Omar was being directed from the White House.
He said officials described the probe as ‘100 percent being run by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,’ which is the address of the White House.
‘I’ve never seen anything like this in my almost 28 years practicing law in federal court,’ Rivers told The Times.
The revelations provide a new glimpse into the Justice Department’s investigation of Omar, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and accused President Donald Trump’s administration of politically targeting her.
The probe has focused in part on allegations surrounding Omar’s 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, with investigators examining whether the marriage was intended to help a man suspected of being her brother obtain a green card.
Abdullahi Mohamed, who briefly worked on a security detail for the Minnesota Democrat during an overseas trip, was allegedly offered help with his immigration case in exchange for providing damaging information about the congresswoman
Homeland Security officers stand next to their unmarked vehicles during a search of the Washington residence of Omar on October 12
Congress has expanded taxpayer-funded security for lawmakers, allowing House members to spend up to $20,000 a month on personal protection, or as much as $240,000 annually
Omar has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Mohamed’s case began in October 2025, when he applied for a green card after marrying an American woman in Minnesota.
During a routine immigration interview, he was asked whether he had worked on behalf of the Somali government or had interactions with American politicians and government officials.
He answered no, despite having briefly worked on a security detail for Omar during a trip to Puntland, in northeastern Somalia, and having visited her Capitol Hill office.
Rivers said his client had a limited command of English and did not understand the questions.
His green card application was denied, and in February he received a letter from the Justice Department informing him that he was under criminal investigation for allegedly lying to a government official under oath.
The felony offense carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
In March, prosecutors invited Mohamed to a meeting known as a proffer, where investigators questioned him about Omar’s personal and financial affairs.
According to Rivers, they asked about her immigration journey from Somalia, her marital history and a possible $10,000 payment involving the congresswoman and one of Mohamed’s brothers.
Investigators allegedly described the payment as a possible bribe.
Rivers said prosecutors offered to intervene to prevent Mohamed from being deported if he provided damaging information about Omar.
Allegedly, Mohamed’s green card application was denied, and in February he received a letter from the Justice Department informing him that he was under criminal investigation for allegedly lying to a government official under oath
Mohamed’s lawyer, Bruce Rivers, said federal prosecutors asked Mohamed about Omar’s immigration journey from Somalia, her marital history and a possible $10,000 payment involving the congresswoman and one of Mohamed’s brothers
A man is tackled after spraying an unknown substance at Omar during a town hall she was hosting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 27
‘The overarching theme was “give us everything and anything,”‘ the lawyer said, describing the meeting as a ‘fishing expedition.’
Mohamed reportedly told investigators he had no incriminating information about the congresswoman.
He later asked his brother about the $10,000 payment and was told it had been used to settle a loan, according to Rivers.
After failing to secure his cooperation, prosecutors obtained a grand jury indictment against Mohamed in April.
But the case took another turn in September.
Mohamed testified before a grand jury in Washington on September 3, where prosecutors granted him immunity for potentially incriminating statements, his lawyer said.
The following day, prosecutors moved to dismiss the indictment, saying there was no longer a federal interest in continuing the case because Mohamed had been placed in deportation proceedings.
He then left the United States for Kenya, leaving his American wife behind.
Omar’s spokesperson told the New York Times the congresswoman had never directly employed Mohamed and condemned the alleged effort to recruit him
In an extraordinary allegation, Rivers claimed prosecutors repeatedly told him the investigation into Omar was being directed from the White House. He said officials described the probe as ‘100% being run by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,’ which is the address of the White House
In March, during an event launching an anti-fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance, Trump called Omar ‘one of the ringleaders’ and said he hoped she would be investigated
Omar’s spokesperson told the New York Times the congresswoman had never directly employed Mohamed and condemned the alleged effort to recruit him.
‘This is a staggering abuse of presidential power and a blatant weaponization of the full federal government to intimidate political opponents,’ Rogers said.
In a statement, the department said the matter was ‘completely unrelated to any current investigations.’
The latest revelations come after federal agents searched Omar’s Washington home in October and issued subpoenas compelling several people close to her to testify before a grand jury.
Trump has repeatedly called for Omar to face scrutiny over allegations involving her immigration history.
In March, during an event launching an anti-fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance, Trump called Omar ‘one of the ringleaders’ and said he hoped she would be investigated.
Vance later said he had discussed how to hold Omar accountable for alleged immigration fraud with senior White House adviser Stephen Miller, who was promoted to chief of staff last week.
Omar, who won a fifth term in Congress last week, has denied wrongdoing and described the investigation as political persecution.
The White House has not publicly confirmed the allegations made by Mohamed’s lawyer about prosecutors being directed by the administration.
The Daily Mail reached out to the DOJ and the White House for comment.
