BREAKING: Five U.S. senators and two representatives have urgently called for an investigation into how a firm closely linked to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem received a portion of a staggering $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign. This demand follows a shocking report from ProPublica that revealed the Strategy Group—a consulting firm with deep ties to Noem—was secretly involved in creating ads featuring the Secretary.
The lawmakers are requesting documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are demanding a formal probe into potential violations of federal laws and ethics rules. The contracts in question were awarded without the standard competitive bidding process, raising serious concerns about self-dealing and corruption.
In their letter to the DHS Inspector General, four Senate Democrats, including Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), emphasized the need for transparency: “The public deserves to know that government officials are not using taxpayer dollars to enrich themselves and their friends.” They are particularly alarmed by the rapid creation of a Delaware LLC that received most of the contract funds just days before the deal’s finalization.
Reps. Bennie Thompson and Robert Garcia, ranking members of the House homeland security and oversight committees, echoed these sentiments, demanding all communications between Noem and the Strategy Group. Their investigation aims to uncover whether Noem misused taxpayer funds to benefit personal connections.
Criticism of Noem intensified following the ProPublica report, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling for her resignation. “This is what corruption looks like,” stated Rep. Jasmine Crockett during a congressional hearing, underscoring the emotional toll of potential governmental abuse of power.
The Strategy Group’s involvement in the ad campaign included producing a controversial commercial featuring Noem on horseback at Mount Rushmore, where she delivered a message to immigrants. The firm has a storied connection to Noem, having played a key role in her gubernatorial campaign, and is closely tied to her top aide at DHS, Corey Lewandowski.
Critics are voicing outrage over the apparent lack of oversight. The office responsible for the ad contracts, the DHS Office of Public Affairs, is led by Tricia McLaughlin, who is married to the Strategy Group’s CEO, Ben Yoho. Federal contracting experts have suggested that the intertwining of personal and professional relationships poses major ethical concerns.
In response to inquiries, McLaughlin stated, “I don’t know who they’re a subcontractor with, but I don’t work with them because I have a conflict of interest and I fully recused myself.” However, DHS has not addressed the growing calls for an investigation, reiterating that their contracting processes are “by the book.”
With public trust at stake, the urgency for accountability has never been higher. The DHS Inspector General has not confirmed whether any investigation is underway, but as this story develops, lawmakers and citizens alike are keeping a close watch on the unfolding situation.
As these events continue to evolve, the implications for Noem, DHS, and the integrity of government contracting remain critical. Share this developing story to keep others informed about the potential misuse of taxpayer dollars and the fight for transparency in government.
