Chief Judge Boasberg Moves the Government's Response to the Omar Search-Warrant Unsealing Applications to Oct. 27 and Lets DOJ Make Its Case for Delay Under Seal

The government did not respond to the Omar search-warrant unsealing applications by the deadline the court had set. It asked for more time, and on October 22 Chief Judge James E. Boasberg granted that motion in part and denied it in part.

What the court ordered. The government’s response, in each of three related cases, is now due October 27, 2026, and the response “may argue in part that the Court should not address the matter yet.” Applicants’ reply is due October 30, 2026. Any party opposing consolidation of the three cases must file by October 27, 2026. The same day the court allowed the government’s supporting memorandum to be filed under seal and ex parte, and said that if it later believes a redacted version belongs on the public record, it will so order.

What the government asked for. Its motion sought to extend the deadlines “until after the subject search warrant has been fully executed,” with a status report to follow. Its fallback was a single deadline of November 9, 2026 for all three. The court adopted neither. The reasons are in the sealed memorandum, which is not public. The motion records that the applicants oppose it. The New York Times Company’s position, attached to the motion at its request, states that “the Government executed the search warrant on October 12, 2026, and subpoenas have been served on Rep. Omar’s family members”; that is the Times’ statement to the government, not a court finding.

Where the record stands. The docket entries read on the day of this pass list no order unsealing the warrant and no ruling on the applications. Related entries: 2026-10-12–hsi-searches-rep-ilhan-omar-dc-home-doj-warrant-22-days-before-midterms and 2026-10-14–wsj-reports-omar-probe-aims-to-build-case-to-revoke-citizenship-subpoenas-to-relatives-items-seized. This entry makes no finding about purpose.