A former Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) state representative in Minnesota has publicly stated that the federal investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar is likely legitimate, citing concerns over both her immigration status and personal finances.
Joe Radinovich, who served in the Minnesota House from 2013 to 2015 and has close ties to the state’s political establishment, made the remarks in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. Radinovich, a well-connected operative who managed campaigns for prominent Democrats including Rick Nolan and Jacob Frey, wrote that Democrats should not dismiss allegations about Omar’s immigration history as a politically motivated conspiracy.
‘Democrats should understand that the allegation is almost certainly true—whatever conclusion they draw from that point could vary—and her denials calling it a right-wing, Islamophobic or racist conspiracy are almost certainly not,’ Radinovich stated. He added that concerns about Omar’s finances also warrant scrutiny, noting that publicly available explanations have not fully addressed questions raised by the evidence.
Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, has denied all allegations, calling them part of a coordinated effort to undermine her. The federal investigation, which was reportedly initiated during the Obama administration, centers on claims that Omar may have committed immigration fraud, including allegations that she married her brother for citizenship purposes. Omar has not publicly addressed the specifics of the probe but has repeatedly dismissed it as politically motivated.
The investigation has gained renewed attention ahead of Omar’s 2024 reelection campaign, with her Republican opponent, John Nagel, continuing to demand that she release her immigration records and submit to a DNA test to resolve the allegations. Nagel made the request during a Fox News interview on Thursday, arguing that Omar could easily clear her name by providing the requested documentation.
‘It would be very simple if you are innocent to be able to come up with the paperwork, do the DNA sample,’ Nagel stated. His campaign has framed the investigation as a matter of transparency, while Omar’s supporters argue that the demands are an attempt to distract from substantive policy debates.
Within Minnesota’s Democratic Party, reactions to Radinovich’s statement have been mixed. Briana Rose Lee, a Minneapolis DFL activist and former operations director for Omar’s campaign, dismissed the remarks as a ‘witch hunt’, accusing Radinovich of contributing to a smear campaign. Other Democrats have declined to publicly comment, reflecting the party’s internal divisions over how to address the controversy.
The federal probe remains ongoing, with no public updates on its status. Omar has not indicated whether she plans to comply with Nagel’s requests or provide additional documentation related to the investigation. Her campaign has focused on policy issues, including housing affordability and foreign policy, while critics argue that the unresolved allegations could impact her electoral prospects.