The Department of Justice is investigating Corey Lewandowski, a former campaign manager for President Donald Trump, over allegations that he profited from his role as a senior adviser at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The inquiry reportedly began following a referral from the DHS Office of Inspector General, which raised concerns about possible abuse of Lewandowski’s position during his tenure under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Lewandowski, who served as a special government employee at DHS during Trump’s second term, was the subject of an internal watchdog review earlier this year. The inspector general’s office reportedly instructed DHS staff in March to preserve records related to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts—a move suggesting the scope of the inquiry pertains to contract awards while Lewandowski held a leadership role. However, details about the specific allegations and whether Lewandowski directly benefited remain unclear.
President Trump acknowledged awareness of the probe during a media interaction, stating that he had “heard something about” the investigation but did not provide further details. When asked about Lewandowski, Trump emphasized the importance of honesty among his associates and expressed support for the Department of Justice’s efforts, saying those found to be dishonest should face prosecution. Notably, he stopped short of defending Lewandowski publicly.
Lewandowski’s attorney, Adam Trigg, denied any wrongdoing on his client’s part, stressing that Lewandowski had not been contacted by the Justice Department and that he served in a voluntary capacity at DHS. The defense also highlighted Lewandowski’s pride in his service, rejecting the notion that he engaged in any misconduct.
Some reports indicate certain DHS records requests during Lewandowski’s time in the department were denied due to an ongoing criminal investigation, though neither DHS nor DOJ officials have confirmed or commented on the probe publicly.
The potential investigation marks a departure for the Department of Justice, which has largely concentrated its efforts on pursuing critics and political opponents of former President Trump. The examination of a longtime Trump ally may signal a broader investigative scope concerning conduct within the administration’s inner circle.
As of now, authorities have not disclosed any formal charges or conclusions. The outcome of the review and whether it will result in legal proceedings remain to be seen.