Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) announced Friday that he will file a resolution to expel Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) from Congress if the federal investigation into her immigration status results in criminal charges. The move escalates a partisan battle that has already drawn sharp reactions from both sides of the aisle.
Fine, a conservative firebrand known for provocative statements, told NewsNation that he has already contacted the Department of Justice to request more details about the probe into Omar. The investigation came to light after federal immigration authorities raided Omar's Washington, D.C., residence on October 12, part of a criminal inquiry into her citizenship. Omar, who was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen in 2000 after her father's naturalization, has repeatedly denied allegations that she married her brother to obtain citizenship—a claim that has circulated on the right for years.
The timing of the raid, just weeks before the midterm elections, has raised eyebrows. The DOJ typically avoids law enforcement actions against political candidates so close to an election. Attorney General Todd Blanche, while announcing an indictment against Virginia state Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D), defended the timing, saying, "This is a long-running case, as alleged in the indictment. People can criticize all they want, but it was time to bring the charges. The grand jury returned an indictment, and we made the arrests."
President Trump has also weighed in, calling for Omar's immediate resignation on Truth Social, accusing her of using a "fake name" to be sworn in. "Because she used a fake name to be sworn in, I assume she must IMMEDIATELY resign from Congress," Trump wrote. "Please inform the Speaker of the House of Representatives, James Michael Johnson, that the Dumocrat Party has just conceded her seat." Omar dismissed the accusation as "categorically false" and having "no basis in fact," in a statement to NewsNation.
Omar, one of the most progressive voices in the House, has long been a target of Trump and Republican attacks. In 2019, Trump posted on social media that Omar and three other Democratic congresswomen—Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley—should "go back" to the countries they came from, despite Omar being the only one not born in the U.S. The House voted 240-187 to condemn Trump's remarks as racist, with four Republicans joining Democrats.
Fine's latest threat is not his first controversial comment about Omar. In 2025, he described her as a "terrorist," a remark that House Democrats condemned as racist. His new push to expel her, however, raises significant procedural and political questions. Expelling a member of Congress requires a two-thirds vote, a high bar that has rarely been met in U.S. history.
Political analysts note that the investigation into Omar's immigration status is unusual, and some legal experts question its legal basis. "This appears to be a politically motivated probe," said one former federal prosecutor, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The DOJ typically doesn't get involved in such matters without strong evidence."
Omar is running for reelection in Minnesota's 5th District, a heavily Democratic area where she is favored to win. The controversy, however, could energize both her supporters and detractors, potentially affecting turnout in an already heated midterm environment.
As the story develops, lawmakers are also dealing with other pressing issues, including suspicious mailings targeting dozens of lawmakers and debates over Trump's Russia sanctions pause. Meanwhile, several of Congress's wealthiest members face tight races, adding to the political turbulence.
The White House and DOJ have not commented on Fine's proposed resolution. Omar's office has not responded to requests for further comment.
