Kristi Noem and others at the Department of Homeland Security are facing a reported “wide-ranging” criminal investigation related to the awarding of billions of dollars in no-bid contracts. The Homeland Security inspector general has
Kristi Noem and others at the Department of
Kristi Noem and others at the Department of Homeland Security are facing a reported “wide-ranging” criminal investigation related to the awarding of billions of dollars in no-bid contracts. The Homeland Security inspector general has opened the investigation and has issued notices to dozens of individuals involved in approving the contracts, including members of Noem’s inner circle, such as rumored lover Corey Lewandowski.
Those notified have been instructed to preserve all relevant communications, including documents, text messages, emails, and phone records, as part of the inquiry, the UK’s Daily Mail reported. “It’s long overdue and much needed,” one senior DHS official familiar with the matter said. “There has been too much shady stuff done under their watch.”
Notices have been sent to current and former Department of Homeland Security employees, including Noem and her top adviser Lewandowski, who were reportedly removed earlier this month following scrutiny over a $220 million advertising campaign.
According to the Daily Mail, the investigation extends beyond the ad campaign, with investigators examining a broader range of contracts approved by Noem’s office. The outlet reported that the inquiry remains ongoing, and no allegations of criminal wrongdoing have surfaced.
If investigators determine that criminal activity occurred in the approval of the contracts, the case could be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice or a U.S. attorney’s office for potential prosecution. President Trump reassigned Noem to serve as the U.S. Envoy for the Shield of the Americas earlier this month. The New York Post reported that Lewandowski will be leaving his role as government adviser and won’t be joining Noem in her new role.
The investigation comes as former Oklahoma GOP Sen
The investigation comes as former Oklahoma GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin was sworn in at the White House on Tuesday, replacing Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security. The agency’s contracting practices have faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks amid concerns about potential conflicts of interest and influence in the awarding of federal contracts.
According to the Daily Mail, some contractors told White House officials that Lewandowski allegedly sought payments in exchange for assistance in securing or expanding contracts, a practice sources referred to as “the Lewandowski tax,” according to the Daily Mail.
Lewandowski, a former special government employee, has denied any wrongdoing and called the accusations “fake news.” According to sources cited by the outlet, however, Noem and Lewandowski maintained close control over the approval of six-figure contracts, requiring their direct authorization.
Sources said that process contributed to delays lasting months, affecting agreements tied to FEMA disaster relief and construction projects related to Trump’s border wall initiative. Those same sources also said the centralized approval process may have bypassed standard oversight procedures, though the allegations remain under investigation.
DHS’s IG serves as an independent watchdog responsible for investigating allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct within the agency. The office is led by Joseph Cuffari, one of a small number of inspectors general who remained in their roles after Donald Trump removed multiple others at the start of his second term.
Cuffari has told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that
Cuffari has told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that Noem “systematically obstructed” eleven of his previous investigations.
A senior administration official told Daily Mail that Corey Lewandowski had also attempted, unsuccessfully, to have Cuffari removed from his position on multiple occasions before departing DHS. Mullin has said publicly that he intends to work with Cuffari moving forward.
Separately, ten of Noem’s close advisers and staff members—including three deputy chiefs of staff—recently left DHS to join the State Department, where they are expected to assist her in her new role as a special envoy to the Americas.
According to a White House official cited by the Daily Mail, Noem personally submitted the names of the staff members she wanted to bring with her. Some of those individuals are now among those reportedly included in the inspector general’s ongoing investigation.
