Kristi Noem, alongside her alleged romantic partner Corey Lewandowski and Homeland Security officials, is embroiled in a comprehensive criminal probe concerning the allocation of billions in no-bid contracts, as reported by the Daily Mail from high-ranking sources within the DHS.

The Inspector General of Homeland Security has initiated this investigation, issuing notifications to numerous individuals involved in sanctioning these contracts, including several close to Noem, according to insiders.

The individuals under scrutiny have been instructed to retain all forms of communication, such as documents, emails, text messages, and call records, as disclosed by the Daily Mail.

“This investigation is both overdue and essential,” remarked a senior DHS official with knowledge of the inquiry. “There’s been an excess of questionable dealings happening on their watch.”

Beyond the Bison 

Notifications are being dispatched to both current and former staff, including Noem and her key advisor Lewandowski, who were recently dismissed by Trump following scrutiny over a contentious $220 million advertising campaign. One prominent ad depicted her riding a horse alongside a herd of bison at Mount Rushmore.

Nonetheless, the investigation extends beyond the advertisements, with investigators examining a broader array of contracts directly sanctioned by Noem’s office, according to senior DHS personnel who spoke with the Daily Mail.

The investigation is ongoing and no crime has been alleged.

If the investigation concludes there was criminal activity involving the approval of the contracts, then the case would be referred to the Department of Justice in Washington or any number of US Attorney’s offices for prosecution.

Circumventing Oversight 

The probe lands just as Markwayne Mullin was sworn in alongside Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon, replacing Noem as Homeland Security Secretary. 

The DHS contracting process has come under public scrutiny in recent weeks over concerns about possible influence peddling and conflicts of interest.

Some DHS contractors told White House officials that Lewandowski allegedly solicited ‘pay to play’ fees in exchange for helping secure or expand contracts, a tactic sources told the Daily Mail was widely referred to as ‘the Lewandowski tax.’ 

Lewandowski, a former special government employee, has denied any wrongdoing.

Noem and Lewandowski maintained tight control over the approval of all six-figure contracts. Their insistence on sole authorization created months-long backlogs, delaying contracts tied to FEMA disaster relief and construction of Trump’s border wall.

But DHS sources tell the Daily Mail this also allowed the pair to circumvent standard oversight.

The Inspector’s Report 

When contacted for a response on the investigation, Lewandowski replied, ‘Fake news.’

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House, Homeland Security, and Noem for comment.

The DHS Office of Inspector General is an independent federal watchdog tasked with investigating fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct. The office is led by Joseph Cuffari, one of a small group of inspectors general to keep their posts after Trump fired 17 at the start of his second term. 

Cuffari has told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that Noem ‘systematically obstructed’ eleven of his prior investigations.

A senior administration official told the Daily Mail that Lewandowski also unsuccessfully tried to get Cuffari fired on multiple occasions before leaving DHS. 

State Department Exodus 

Mullin has publicly stated that he looks forward to working with Cuffari.

Last week, ten of Noem’s closest advisers and staffers, including her three deputy chiefs of staff, left Homeland to join the State Department, where they will assist her in her new role as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.

Noem personally supplied the White House with the names of staffers she wanted to bring with her, a White House official told the Daily Mail. 

Some of the officials Noem handpicked to follow her to the State Department are now caught up in the IG’s criminal probe. 

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