Federal authorities have recently interrogated a former bodyguard of Rep. Ilhan Omar concerning a $10,000 payment and her marriage background. This inquiry sheds light on the ongoing criminal investigation surrounding the Minnesota Democrat.
According to the bodyguard’s attorney, Bruce Rivers, the questioning moved beyond Omar’s immigration records, focusing also on her financial activities.
Rivers reported that investigators queried Abdullahi Mohamed about a payment involving Omar and his brother, which authorities termed a potential bribe. The specifics of this transaction remain vague, as court documents do not clarify the government’s reasoning, and officials have refrained from discussing the matter.
This new information surfaces after federal agents raided Omar’s residence in Washington last month and issued subpoenas to various individuals in her circle, compelling them to provide testimony before a grand jury.
Prosecutors are scrutinizing her family’s immigration situation, including suspicions that her 2009 marriage may have been orchestrated to assist a man believed to be her brother in securing a green card.
Omar, who secured her fifth term last week, has categorically denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the Trump administration is orchestrating a political attack against her.
Mohamed entered the investigation’s spotlight following a green card interview conducted in October 2025. As a Somalia and British citizen, he was pursuing permanent residency after marrying an American in Minnesota.
During the immigration interview, he was asked if he had worked with the Somali government while in the U.S. or engaged with any officials or politicians here; he replied no. However, he had briefly served on Omar’s security detail internationally and visited her office on Capitol Hill.
According to Rivers, Mohamed had difficulty understanding the questions due to limited English proficiency. His green card application faced denial, and he was subsequently notified that the Justice Department was probing him for allegedly lying under oath, a charge that carries a five-year prison sentence.
Court documents reveal the case was assigned to prominent senior prosecutors in Minnesota, indicating it may be taken seriously. At a meeting with the legal team, questions from investigators primarily targeted Omar, encompassing her immigration history, marriages, and the $10,000 payment in question.
Rivers mentioned that investigators suggested aiding Mohamed’s situation in exchange for damaging information about Omar. Some insiders have indicated that federal officials view his green card application as a means to gather evidence against her.
In September, the Justice Department decided to drop charges against Mohamed, but they refused to provide further details, stating it was unrelated to any ongoing investigations.
Former President Trump has called for a thorough investigation into Omar’s activities. At a March event aimed at introducing an anti-fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance, Trump expressed hopes that Omar would be scrutinized, designating her as one of the key figures involved.
During that event, Vance noted discussions with Stephen Miller about holding Omar accountable for alleged immigration fraud.
Rivers alleged that prosecutors conveyed to him and Mohamed that the investigation was being heavily influenced by the White House.
“I’ve never encountered anything like this in my nearly 28 years of legal practice in federal court,” Rivers remarked.
When contacted by the newspaper in Nairobi, Kenya, Mohamed chose not to comment, stating he will address the situation when the timing is right.
