Democrats Investigate $220M Ad Contract Firms Linked to Noem, Lewandowski
Democratic senators are currently investigating three companies that were awarded a substantial $220 million advertising contract associated with outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. This inquiry aims to determine if Noem, her senior adviser Corey Lewandowski, or any other officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gained financially from these contracts.
Details of the $220 Million Ad Contract Investigation
Sens. Peter Welch and Richard Blumenthal, the ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, have initiated this probe. They sent correspondence on Friday to the involved firms: Safe America Media, People Who Think, and the Strategy Group. The Strategy Group is managed by Ben Yoho, who is married to former DHS press secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
Contract Breakdown
- Safe America Media received a no-bid contract valued at $143 million.
- People Who Think was awarded a $77 million no-bid contract.
- The Strategy Group acted as a subcontractor within this arrangement.
Concerns over these non-competitive contracts surfaced in 2025, intensifying during Noem’s hearings before House and Senate committees this week.
Political Fallout and Leadership Changes
On Thursday, President Trump announced the firing of Noem, who will depart her post by March 31. Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin has been designated as her successor. Following her dismissal, sources indicated that the controversial ad campaign contributed to Trump’s decision to remove her from office.
An administration official remarked that Noem’s leadership failures included the fallout in Minnesota and ongoing disputes with agency heads such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Trump’s Concerns
Trump expressed dissatisfaction regarding the ad campaign’s expenditure, commenting, “I spent less money than that to become president.” He claimed no prior knowledge of the campaign’s financial details.
Senators’ Inquiries and Findings
Welch and Blumenthal raised questions about potential financial ties between Lewandowski and Noem, supported by public reporting, including a November article from ProPublica. They have requested detailed documentation from the firms, including:
- Copies of contractual agreements.
- Lists of subcontractors involved.
- Any financial compensation to DHS personnel connected to the ad campaign.
Lewandowski has served in a “special government employee” capacity as an adviser to Noem. However, the senators might face challenges in obtaining responses, as they lack majority control in the Senate.
Concerns Regarding Recruitment Campaigns
Reports indicate that Noem selected People Who Think and Safe America Media for a separate $100 million ICE recruitment campaign. Allegations have arisen that an employee expressing concerns about the campaign faced threats of dismissal.
Neither the White House nor the DHS has yet responded to inquiries about potential financial benefits received by Lewandowski or other DHS employees from these contracts.
