CNN anchor Jake Tapper drew unexpected attention Wednesday after viewers focused on his visibly skeptical reaction during a segment about the federal investigation involving Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Tapper, 57, appeared frustrated at several points during The Lead as senior legal analyst Elie Honig explained the case.
Honig opened by noting that a search warrant approved this week by a judge outside the Justice Department suggested the court believed there was probable cause to conclude that “a crime was committed.”
The reported investigation centers on whether Omar, 44, misstated her birthdate in 2000 in order to improperly claim a benefit that enabled her to obtain citizenship as a minor.
“That seems like a long time ago,” Tapper said before raising his eyebrows and questioning how “important” the case could be if the alleged fraud took place “26 years ago.”
Honig responded that certain offenses may extend the statute of limitations if someone gains immigration status through false statements and then remains in the country.
Tapper remained silent and largely expressionless as Honig explained why the typical five-year statute of limitations for many federal immigration offenses might not apply in this situation.
That explanation appeared to challenge the premise of a CNN report published Wednesday that Tapper also co-wrote.
Honig questions claims that the investigation was politically motivated
Honig, 51, also pushed back on claims that the investigation was purely political. The exchange was quickly clipped and circulated by conservative influencers Thursday, drawing hundreds of thousands of views.
He noted that aspects of the inquiry reportedly began in 2018, during the Biden era. Honig added that any alleged obstruction occurring within the past five years could still potentially be prosecuted.
The investigation could also have been prompted by something as routine as new paperwork, he said, including “a reapplication or a renewal” involving Omar or someone connected to her.
Tapper responded by rolling his eyes, appearing irritated by the explanation.
“Just… quickly,” the anchor interjected, shaking his head. “Would it not have been wiser for the congresswoman to have gone to the Biden Justice Department and said this has happened, there was a mistake, and I’d like to come clean and pay whatever fine?”
“And then that way this, you know, [is] not left up to the Trump Justice Department?”
“I mean, has that occurred to you?”
Honig acknowledged that Omar “might have fared better under the Biden administration,” but immediately pointed to reports that Homeland Security Investigations officials were alerted to the alleged fraud while Biden was still president.
Omar’s Washington home searched
The agency initially decided not to pursue the matter because officials believed there was insufficient evidence, according to The Wall Street Journal.
“So, I think that’s going to undermine any argument she may have down the line that this is politically selective and vindictive,” Honig said.
He concluded, however, by acknowledging that “Donald Trump has given [Rep. Omar] plenty of ammo to argue that she’s being singled out for personal reasons.”
“So, that’s a battle yet to come.”
Tapper offered a brief “thanks so much” before sending the program to a commercial break.
Omar’s Washington, DC, home was searched Monday.
The congresswoman, a US citizen who was born in Somalia, has publicly described the search as part of a political campaign against her by the administration.
Omar is seeking reelection in Minnesota, where midterm voting is already underway.
