Kristi Noem’s tenure as head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has come under intense scrutiny following a probe into the department’s contracting practices, with investigators examining potential misconduct involving her close aide, Corey Lewandowski. The inquiry, led by the DHS inspector general, is assessing whether any improper actions occurred during the awarding of government contracts, including possible personal enrichment by senior officials. The investigation could result in a criminal referral to the Justice Department.

Noem assumed leadership of DHS in the final months of the Trump administration and quickly consolidated significant spending authority within her office, requiring that essentially all contracts exceeding $100,000 receive direct approval from the secretary. This shift, intended to reduce fraud and waste, reportedly created substantial delays within the department and centralized decision-making power. Lewandowski, widely recognized as Noem’s key advisor and confidant, gained effective control over contract approvals, overseeing billions in spending tied largely to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement and deportation agenda.

During this period, Congress allocated approximately $75 billion to DHS to bolster deportation efforts, expand detention capacity, and enhance border security technology. Among major expenditures was a proposed $2.7 billion blanket purchase agreement with Palantir Technologies, a data analytics firm, covering a broad spectrum of DHS operations including immigration and Secret Service functions. Although DHS officials sought to finalize the contract before the end of the 2025 fiscal year, the agreement reportedly languished unsigned on Noem’s desk for weeks, with Palantir officials struggling to obtain clarity on its status.

Sources familiar with the investigation have indicated that Lewandowski allegedly offered to leverage DHS resources and contracting authority for personal financial gain, including purported pitches to foreign governments such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. However, representatives for Lewandowski have categorically denied these allegations. They stated that he neither reviewed nor approved contracts, never solicited payments or compensation from contractors or foreign entities while serving in his DHS capacity, and has not been contacted regarding any agency probe into contracting. Lewandowski, who held "special government employee" (SGE) status allowing private business activities concurrent with his DHS role, now works as a consultant and has reportedly secured clients abroad, including Bahrain.

The extent of Secretary Noem’s knowledge of Lewandowski’s conduct remains unclear. The two have maintained a close working relationship within DHS, attending meetings together regularly, and reports have suggested a personal connection, though both parties have denied any romantic involvement.

Noem and Lewandowski departed DHS in March 2026 after then-President Trump replaced her with Markwayne Mullin amid mounting criticism over a tumultuous period marked by operational failures and congressional hearings spotlighting agency shortcomings. Democrats in the House of Representatives have expressed readiness to pursue further investigations should they regain a majority in the upcoming midterm elections.

Efforts to secure comment from Noem and DHS officials went unanswered, while the White House declined to comment on the ongoing inquiry. The investigation into DHS contracting practices continues as government watchdogs seek to determine whether the department’s spending authority was abused during a critical period of immigration enforcement expansion.