Ilhan Omar Hires Biden’s Personal Attorney and Trump Impeachment Lawyer as Federal Investigation Intensifies

Rep. Ilhan Omar has hired two prominent Washington attorneys with extensive ties to former President Joe Biden and Democratic investigations of President Trump as federal authorities continue examining allegations involving the Minnesota congresswoman’s immigration history and financial disclosures.

Omar’s new legal team includes Amy Jeffress, who became Biden’s personal attorney in 2025, and Joshua Matz, who helped House Democrats during both impeachment proceedings against President Trump. Both attorneys are partners at the Washington law firm Hecker Fink.

Their involvement comes after federal agents searched Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence on October 12, seizing her passport, cellphone, computers and other materials as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

The decision to retain attorneys experienced in high-profile political investigations has attracted attention because neither Jeffress nor Matz primarily specializes in immigration law. Their backgrounds instead include constitutional litigation, congressional investigations and legal disputes involving senior government officials.

Jeffress took over as Biden’s personal attorney from longtime adviser Bob Bauer in 2025. She represented the former president during investigations concerning his administration’s use of an autopen to sign official documents, including pardons and legislation.

Before joining Hecker Fink, Jeffress worked at the Washington law firm Arnold & Porter and participated in several politically sensitive legal matters.

She previously represented former FBI attorney Lisa Page, whose anti-Trump text messages with FBI agent Peter Strzok became a major controversy during investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The messages raised questions about political bias within the FBI and contributed to congressional scrutiny of the bureau’s handling of investigations involving Trump.

Jeffress also served as outside counsel to the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, assisting with legal matters involving subpoenas and congressional investigative authority.

Matz brings a similarly extensive background in legal disputes involving President Trump.

He represented House Democrats during both impeachment proceedings against Trump and also served on the legal team assisting the January 6 committee.

More recently, Matz has represented major universities, including Brown University, New York University and Columbia University, in litigation challenging Trump administration policies.

His experience includes constitutional disputes and cases involving the relationship between federal authorities and other institutions.

Omar’s decision to hire the two attorneys comes as the Justice Department examines allegations involving her immigration paperwork, citizenship history and financial disclosures.

Investigators have reportedly focused on whether Omar or her late father provided inaccurate information during immigration proceedings after their family arrived in the United States from Somalia.

The congresswoman has maintained that she entered the country as a refugee in 1995 and obtained American citizenship in 2000 through her father’s naturalization.

Federal authorities are reviewing whether information concerning her age and identity was accurately represented during that process.

The investigation has also revived longstanding allegations involving Omar’s former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, whom she married in 2009.

Political opponents have alleged that Elmi was actually her brother and that their marriage was connected to immigration benefits.

Omar has repeatedly denied those accusations, and they have not been established in court.

Recent federal court documents connected to the investigation identified the congresswoman using the name Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, with Ilhan Abdullahi Omar listed as another name.

The designation has generated questions about her identity records, particularly because Elmi is the surname of her former husband.

However, the Justice Department has not publicly explained the basis for the designation or established that the use of a different name constituted fraud.

Omar’s legal team has strongly challenged the investigation, accusing federal authorities of targeting the congresswoman because of her opposition to President Trump.

On October 16, Jeffress and Matz sent a seven-page letter to the Justice Department demanding the immediate return of property seized during the search of Omar’s residence.

The attorneys alleged that federal agents failed to follow restrictions imposed by a magistrate judge when authorizing the search.

Those restrictions were intended to protect constitutional interests involving congressional communications and legislative materials.

According to the attorneys, investigators failed to provide appropriate notice to Omar and the House Office of General Counsel before conducting the search.

They also alleged that Omar was prevented from contacting her attorney for more than an hour after federal agents entered the property.

The legal team demanded that the government preserve recordings of the search and return the seized electronic devices, passport and other belongings.

Jeffress and Matz described the investigation as politically motivated and argued that it violated constitutional protections afforded to members of Congress.

The Justice Department rejected those accusations, maintaining that federal agents complied with applicable court orders and legal requirements.

A department spokesperson described the attorneys’ letter as containing false allegations and inaccuracies.

The dispute could become a significant legal issue if prosecutors seek to use information obtained during the search in future proceedings.

Meanwhile, investigators have also examined Omar’s financial disclosures, including questions surrounding business interests associated with her husband, political consultant Tim Mynett.

Earlier disclosures reported a substantial increase in the estimated value of business holdings connected to Mynett, with figures reaching as high as approximately $30 million.

Those filings subsequently attracted scrutiny after Omar submitted amended disclosures reflecting lower valuations.

The congresswoman has attributed the discrepancies to reporting errors and has denied intentionally misrepresenting her finances.

The financial questions have generated additional attention because Omar receives an annual congressional salary of $174,000.

During a recent interview with MS NOW, Omar said she lives paycheck to paycheck despite that salary.

Her comments prompted renewed discussion of her household finances and the financial interests disclosed in congressional records.

The hiring of Jeffress and Matz has also raised questions about how Omar intends to pay for her legal representation.

Earlier this week, the congresswoman appeared in a video asking supporters to contribute money toward her defense.

“It is going to be a very expensive and challenging time,” Omar said in the recording.

She encouraged supporters to make donations of $5, $10 or $20 to help cover the costs associated with the investigation.

A review of Omar’s campaign finance filings found no payments to Hecker Fink or either attorney as of the October 15 reporting deadline.

That does not establish that the attorneys are working without compensation, since payments could have been made after the reporting period or through another lawful arrangement.

The legal expenses could become substantial if the investigation produces additional court proceedings or criminal charges.

President Trump has continued publicly criticizing Omar as federal authorities examine the allegations.

During a campaign appearance Thursday, the president called for her immediate resignation from Congress, citing questions about her identity records.

Trump argued that a member of Congress should not remain in office if it is established that the individual used fraudulent information to obtain citizenship or qualify for public office.

Omar has rejected the president’s accusations and maintains that she has committed no immigration-related wrongdoing.

Her attorneys have also argued that the investigation is based on allegations that have circulated for years without resulting in criminal charges.

Federal authorities have not announced an indictment against Omar, and no court has determined that she obtained citizenship unlawfully.

The Justice Department must establish evidence of criminal wrongdoing before any prosecution could proceed.

Questions about her citizenship status would also involve separate legal standards and procedures.

The investigation comes shortly before the November 3 midterm elections, when Omar is seeking another term representing Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District.

She has served in the House since 2019 and remains a prominent member of the progressive Democratic group commonly known as the Squad.

Her legal battle now brings together several figures who have participated in major political disputes involving Trump over the past decade.

Jeffress previously represented Biden and Lisa Page, while Matz participated in both Trump impeachment proceedings and the January 6 congressional investigation.

Their involvement indicates that Omar is preparing to contest the federal investigation through attorneys with experience handling politically sensitive cases involving constitutional and government accountability questions.

For now, the Justice Department continues reviewing evidence collected during the search and examining allegations involving immigration records and financial disclosures.

Omar’s attorneys are demanding the return of seized property while challenging the legality of the investigation.

Whether federal prosecutors ultimately bring charges remains unresolved, but the congresswoman’s decision to assemble a high-profile legal team demonstrates the seriousness of the legal confrontation now unfolding in Washington.