Democratic senators are looking into a $220 million advertising deal linked to Kristi Noem, the outgoing Secretary of Homeland Security. They want to know if Noem, her adviser Corey Lewandowski, or other DHS staff gained financially from this deal.
Senators Peter Welch and Richard Blumenthal have sent letters to Safe America Media, People Who Think, and the Strategy Group, which is run by Ben Yoho. Yoho is married to former DHS press secretary Tricia McLaughlin. The senators raised concerns about a no-bid contract worth $143 million given to Safe America Media and a $77 million contract awarded to People Who Think.
These questions emerged after the contracts were rushed through during Noem’s recent hearings before Congress. The scrutiny intensified after former President Trump announced he was firing Noem, effective March 31. Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma will take her place.
An administration source indicated that the ad campaign was a factor in Trump’s decision to let Noem go. They noted this was part of a series of leadership failures attributed to her tenure, including management issues and conflicts with other officials.
Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the ad campaign’s costs, stating, “I spent less money than that to become president.” He also claimed he wasn’t aware of the total expense.
Welch and Blumenthal’s letters referenced a ProPublica article discussing possible ties between Noem and the firms involved. They requested copies of the contracts and information about any financial relationships these companies might have with Lewandowski and DHS employees.
While they can raise these concerns, the senators may not be able to force the companies to respond, given the current political landscape. Reports indicate that Noem had previously selected People Who Think and Safe America Media for a $100 million recruitment campaign for ICE. Concerns raised by an employee about this were reportedly met with threats of dismissal.
As this situation unfolds, it’s clear that scrutiny on government contracts, especially those bypassing traditional bidding processes, is intensifying. This issue isn’t just about Noem or Lewandowski; it’s part of a larger conversation around government accountability and the importance of transparency in public spending.
For more in-depth analysis, you can read the ProPublica article on the connections between Noem and the ad contracts here.
