UPDATE: Urgent calls for a formal investigation have emerged as five U.S. senators and two representatives demand answers regarding a $220 million advertising campaign linked to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. This development follows a shocking ProPublica report revealing that a consulting firm closely tied to Noem received substantial taxpayer dollars without undergoing the standard competitive bidding process.
The lawmakers’ demands, submitted earlier today, seek documents from DHS to clarify how the Strategy Group—a Republican consulting firm with deep connections to Noem—secured a piece of the lucrative contract that predominantly funded advertisements featuring Noem herself. The firm’s CEO is married to Noem’s chief spokesperson, raising serious ethical concerns about potential self-dealing.
In their letter to the DHS inspector general, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) emphasized, “The public deserves to know that government officials are not using taxpayer dollars to enrich themselves and their friends.” They urged an investigation into whether DHS officials violated federal laws designed to prevent such misconduct.
Separately, Rep. Bennie Thompson and Rep. Robert Garcia, leaders of the House homeland security committees, are demanding all communications between Noem, her aides, and anyone associated with the Strategy Group or a mysterious Delaware LLC that received a significant share of the contract. They stated their intent to investigate Noem for “lining your friends’ pockets at the taxpayer’s expense.”
This situation has escalated tensions in Congress, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling for Noem’s resignation, labeling the unfolding scandal as “what corruption looks like.” Fellow representative Jasmine Crockett echoed these sentiments, declaring during a congressional hearing that officials are “stealing money from the American people’s pockets.”
ProPublica’s investigation disclosed that the Strategy Group’s undisclosed activities for DHS included producing a controversial ad featuring Noem on horseback at Mount Rushmore, delivering a message aimed at immigrants. The office managing the ad contracts is the DHS Office of Public Affairs, led by Tricia McLaughlin, who is married to Strategy Group CEO Ben Yoho.
Experts on federal contracting previously warned that the extensive ties between DHS leadership and the Strategy Group suggest major potential violations of ethics rules. McLaughlin has stated, “I fully recused myself” from any dealings with the firm due to a conflict of interest, yet she admitted a lack of knowledge on how the Strategy Group was chosen as a subcontractor.
DHS has not commented on the calls for an inspector general investigation but reiterated its commitment to conducting contracts “by the book.” A spokesperson for the inspector general confirmed that as a matter of policy, they do not confirm or deny ongoing investigations.
As this situation continues to develop, all eyes are on the DHS and Congress. Lawmakers are demanding accountability for what they deem a blatant misuse of taxpayer funds. The fallout from these revelations could have lasting implications for Noem and the integrity of federal contracting processes.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds and the investigation progresses.
