Former President Barack Obama on Sunday condemned the Trump administration's investigation of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., saying in a post on X that federal authorities are trying to intimidate her because she has criticized President Donald Trump. The post followed a search by federal agents last week of Omar's home in Washington, D.C.

"The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president," Obama wrote. He said the administration is "actively trying to deport" Omar based on an "unsubstantiated theory." The theory, as Obama described it, is that she was actually 18, not 17, when her father was naturalized, which would mean she did not automatically become a citizen.

Obama said Omar arrived in the United States with her father at age 12 and became a citizen at 17 when he was naturalized. He said federal agents "confiscated personal records, and seized her phone." Sources told Fox News Digital that investigators are examining whether Omar or her father committed fraud on immigration paperwork. A person familiar with the investigation told NBC News that possible charges cited by federal officials include conspiracy and making false statements in immigration paperwork. The Justice Department has not revealed evidence against her. Omar denies the allegations of immigration fraud.

NBC News reported that the timing of the search, close to the midterm elections and on a federal holiday, alarmed Justice Department veterans. Omar said last week the raid was "an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement."

Obama compared the treatment of Omar to federal actions involving New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey and members of the Federal Reserve Board. "If this becomes the new normal, there's no reason to believe it will stop with her — or that future presidents, in either party, won't do the same," he wrote. NBC News described the lengthy statement as unusual for Obama, who has been selective about speaking publicly since leaving office.

Trump has denied involvement. He said last week the search had "nothing to do" with him and was "really up to the DOJ." He also said, "I've always found her to be totally crooked, personally." NBC News reported that Trump attacked Omar and Somali immigrants at a rally last week, drawing chants of "deport" from the crowd, and wrote on Truth Social this year that he would like to see her sent back to Somalia.

White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital: "Unlike Joe Biden, President Trump has not weaponized the Department of Justice against his political foes. The Department is focused on restoring law and order and keeping Americans safe." The sources did not say when any charges might be filed. The exact date of the search was not given beyond "last week."