Federal investigators are examining contracts awarded during former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi L. Noem's tenure, focusing on the roles of influential aides in decision-making. The inquiries, conducted by the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, scrutinize the actions of Noem's top aide, Corey Lewandowski, and contractor Kara Voorhies.

In mid-March, DHS investigators reportedly entered Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters, searching Voorhies's office and seizing documents and equipment. Voorhies, a contractor who joined DHS in the second term of the Trump administration, held an unusually prominent role, overseeing significant aspects of FEMA's daily operations, including grant and award decisions. She collaborated closely with Lewandowski, who also operated as a contractor in a senior capacity within the agency.

Concerns have been raised about several contracts, including a $1 billion award expedited to a pro-Trump donor, a $200 million deal for two private jets for senior officials, and another $200 million for advertisements featuring Noem. Noem's predecessor, Secretary Markwayne Mullin, has since rescinded a policy Noem instituted that required headquarters approval for all contracts exceeding $100,000, replacing it with a $25 million threshold he deemed "appropriate."

Voorhies allegedly wielded broad authority over spending, directing which grants to cancel based on criteria such as mentions of "climate change, social media, diversity, equity or inclusion." Officials also reported her involvement in efforts to block security grants for Muslim organizations and withhold funds from California due to its status as a sanctuary state. She also reportedly played a key role in the creation of an immigration detention facility in South Florida, known as "Alligator Alcatraz." Multiple current and former officials stated that many who worked with Voorhies at FEMA were unaware of her contractor status, despite federal regulations requiring such disclosure.

Lewandowski's office has stated that he never personally benefited from DHS contracts, asserting that he helped implement reforms that saved taxpayers billions and that his critics are "entrenched interests." Salus Worldwide Solutions, the recipient of the $1 billion contract, has denied receiving any "inside" information.

The investigations intensified after DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari reported "systematic obstruction" of his office's work by DHS, specifically in a criminal inquiry. Noem, however, asserted that the OIG had full access but needed to provide a "scoping memo" for its requests. She also maintained that the agency followed legal processes for the ad campaign. A subsequent partial DHS shutdown led Cuffari to halt an audit of Noem's spending, which he indicated would resume upon renewed funding.

Congressional leaders, including Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Representative Robert Garcia (D-California), have called for further scrutiny into potential corruption and mismanagement at DHS under Noem's leadership. Senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) publicly called for Noem's resignation over the alleged obstruction of the OIG.