Noem Misled Congress About Top Aide's Role in Homeland Security Contracts

"Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem misled Congress on Tuesday about the powers of her controversial top aide Corey Lewandowski, according to records reviewed by ProPublica and four current and former DHS officials. Lewandowski has an unusual role at DHS, where he is not a paid government employee but is nonetheless acting as a top official, helping Noem run the sprawling agency."

"At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., asked Noem whether Lewandowski has 'a role in approving contracts' at DHS. Noem responded with a flat denial: 'No.' But internal DHS records reviewed by ProPublica contradict Noem's Senate testimony. The records show Lewandowski personally approved a multimillion-dollar equipment contract at the agency last summer."

"Lewandowski has approved numerous contracts at DHS and often needs to sign off on large ones before any money goes out the door, the current and former department employees said."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem misled Congress regarding the authority of her top aide Corey Lewandowski, an unpaid government employee who functions as a senior official at DHS. During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Noem denied that Lewandowski has any role in approving contracts. However, internal DHS records and interviews with current and former agency staff contradict this testimony, revealing that Lewandowski personally approved multimillion-dollar equipment contracts and regularly signs off on large expenditures before funds are released. This discrepancy highlights ongoing congressional concerns about Lewandowski's undefined scope of work and authority within the department.

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