CNN anchor Jake Tapper drew widespread attention Wednesday after his visibly skeptical reaction during a segment about the investigation involving Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, as senior legal analyst Elie Honig explained the case.
At several points during The Lead, the 57-year-old host appeared frustrated by Honig’s assessment of the probe.
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, falsified her birthdate in 2000 to improperly claim a benefit that enabled her to become a citizen as a minor.
“That seems like a long time ago,” Tapper said before raising his eyebrows and questioning how “important” a case could be when the alleged fraud took place “26 years ago.”
Honig responded that certain offenses involving entry into the country or immigration status can extend the statute of limitations if a person remains in the United States after allegedly making false statements.
Tapper remained silent and expressionless as Honig explained that the usual five-year statute of limitations for many federal immigration offenses might not apply under these circumstances.
That explanation appeared to challenge the context of a CNN report published Wednesday that Tapper had co-written.
Honig casts doubt on claims probe was political
During the exchange, which conservative influencers clipped and shared widely Thursday, Honig also questioned the argument that the investigation was politically motivated. The video accumulated hundreds of thousands of views.
The 51-year-old analyst noted that elements of the inquiry began in 2018, while Joe Biden was president. He added that any alleged obstruction occurring within the past five years could potentially still be prosecuted.
Honig said the investigation might also have been prompted by relatively routine paperwork, such as a citizenship reapplication or renewal involving Omar or someone connected to her.
Tapper responded by rolling his eyes, appearing irritated by the explanation.
“Just… quickly,” Tapper said, shaking his head. He then asked whether it would have been wiser for the congresswoman to approach the Biden Justice Department, acknowledge the alleged mistake and pay any applicable fine.
“And then that way this, you know, [is] not left up to the Trump Justice Department?” he continued.
“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 potential fraud while Biden was in office.
Omar’s DC home raided
According to The Wall Street Journal, the agency initially decided not to pursue the matter because investigators believed there was insufficient evidence.
“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.
Honig concluded, however, that Donald Trump had given Omar “plenty of ammo to argue that she’s being singled out for personal reasons.”
“So, that’s a battle yet to come,” he added.
Tapper offered a curt ‘thanks so much’ before cutting to commercial.
Omar’s home in Washington, DC, was raided on Monday.
The congresswoman, a US citizen originally from Somalia, has publicly framed the search as part of a political attack from the administration.
The congresswoman is running for reelection in Minnesota, where midterm voting has already begun.
