Lead: Democratic senators have opened inquiries into three firms awarded a combined $220 million Department of Homeland Security ad contract, seeking evidence that outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, her senior adviser Corey Lewandowski, or other DHS staff personally benefited. The letters, sent on Friday by Sens. Peter Welch and Richard Blumenthal, target Safe America Media, People Who Think, and a subcontractor known as the Strategy Group. The probes follow reporting about no-bid awards and surfaced amid Noem’s recent congressional testimony and her removal by President Trump, who announced she will leave effective March 31.
Key Takeaways
- Senators Peter Welch and Richard Blumenthal sent letters on Friday requesting contracts and records from three firms tied to a $220 million DHS ad campaign.
- Safe America Media was described in the letters as holding a $143 million no-bid contract; People Who Think received a $77 million no-bid award.
- The Strategy Group, led by Ben Yoho (husband of former DHS press secretary Tricia McLaughlin), served as a subcontractor linked to the agreements.
- Lawmakers asked whether the firms have contractual, lobbying or other arrangements with Corey Lewandowski, who served as Noem’s adviser in a Special Government Employee role.
- Officials questioned whether any DHS personnel were paid directly or indirectly in connection with the ad campaign.
- Concerns about no-bid awards and vendor selection emerged in 2025 and intensified during Noem’s recent hearings.
- President Trump cited the ad campaign among factors for removing Noem; White House and DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Background
Federal advertising and recruitment contracts are typically subject to competitive bidding to ensure fairness and to limit waste. In this case, multiple sizeable awards were described as no-bid, prompting scrutiny because they bypassed typical procurement competition. The practice of awarding large communications contracts without open competition has drawn attention in past administrations and often triggers congressional inquiries when relationships between vendors and officials appear close.
Kristi Noem, who served as Secretary of Homeland Security until her announced departure effective March 31, had overseen an ad campaign tied to DHS missions. Reports and public records cited by lawmakers and reporters connected the campaign to firms that either were handpicked or received expedited awards. The Strategy Group’s leadership tie to a former DHS press official added another personal connection that senators asked the companies to clarify.
Main Event
On Friday, Sens. Peter Welch (D) and Richard Blumenthal (D), the ranking member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent formal letters to Safe America Media, People Who Think, and the Strategy Group. The letters seek copies of agreements, lists of subcontractors and answers about any contractual, lobbying or other ties to Corey Lewandowski. The lawmakers specifically asked whether the firms directly or indirectly compensated any DHS personnel in connection with the ad campaign.
The senators’ letters state that Safe America Media ‘‘signed a no-bid contract worth $143 million’’ and that People Who Think received a $77 million no-bid contract; the Strategy Group was listed as a subcontractor to those arrangements. The Strategy Group is led by Ben Yoho, who is married to former DHS press secretary Tricia McLaughlin, a fact the letters flagged as part of the vendor network surrounding the contracts.
Questions about the awards gained traction in 2025 and were a focal point during Noem’s congressional appearances this week. Shortly after those hearings, President Trump announced he had removed Noem from the post, saying she would depart on March 31 and be replaced by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R–OK). An administration official told reporters that the ad campaign, among other leadership concerns, contributed to the decision to oust her.
Analysis & Implications
The senators’ inquiry signals a formal escalation from reporting into potential oversight action: by demanding contracts and subcontractor lists, lawmakers aim to trace money flows and identify any undisclosed conflicts. If evidence shows that advisers or DHS staff were paid by vendors tied to the campaign, it would raise ethics questions and potential procurement violations. Even absent proof of illegality, the appearance of favoritism in no-bid awards can erode public trust in spending on public information and recruitment efforts.
Politically, the probe deepens scrutiny around Noem’s tenure and the broader administration’s procurement choices. The request for information about Lewandowski’s ties is notable because of his role as a Special Government Employee; such arrangements allow outside advisers to work temporarily with the government but can create complex disclosure and compensation obligations. Any findings of improper benefits could prompt additional congressional oversight or referrals to ethics offices.
For DHS operations, the controversy may affect ongoing and planned communications campaigns, including recruitment efforts for ICE and other components. Vendors and career staff could face increased procedural oversight, and the department might revisit procurement practices to avoid future criticism. At the same time, partisan dynamics in the Senate limit Democrats’ ability to compel testimony or documents without cooperation from majority Republicans.
Comparison & Data
| Firm | Contract Value | Contract Type | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe America Media | $143,000,000 | No-bid | Prime contractor |
| People Who Think | $77,000,000 | No-bid | Prime contractor |
| The Strategy Group | Subcontract (undisclosed amount) | Subcontract | Subcontractor; run by Ben Yoho |
The table shows the allocation of the reported $220 million in awards and highlights that the Strategy Group’s dollar role was not detailed in the public summaries. These figures, drawn from the senators’ letters and contemporaneous reporting, illustrate how the total contract value is split and why lawmakers focused on the no-bid designations.
Reactions & Quotes
Officials within the administration and outside actors have given terse statements and off-the-record comments as inquiries unfolded. Those remarks reflect both operational and political concerns tied to the procurement process and leadership choices at DHS.
“The ad campaign was one of the reasons for the decision — a culmination of her many unfortunate leadership failures,”
Administration official (on Noem’s removal)
The administration official attributed Noem’s ouster to multiple leadership issues and mentioned the ad campaign specifically; the remark was provided to reporters as part of an explanation for the personnel change. The official’s comment ties operational controversies to personnel decisions at senior levels.
“I wasn’t thrilled with it. I spent less money than that to become president. I didn’t know about it,”
President Donald Trump
President Trump told reporters he was displeased with the campaign’s price tag and suggested he was unaware of the expenditure before it proceeded. His public frustration adds political pressure and helps explain why scrutiny intensified after the hearings.
“Signed a no-bid contract worth $143 million,”
Senate letters to Safe America Media (excerpt)
The senators’ letters explicitly describe the Safe America Media award as a $143 million no-bid contract and request supporting documentation; that characterization anchors the document demand and frames the oversight question for the companies involved.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Corey Lewandowski or any other named DHS employee received direct or indirect payments from the firms is not yet confirmed.
- The specific dollar amounts paid to the Strategy Group as a subcontractor have not been publicly disclosed.
- Allegations that an employee who raised procurement concerns was threatened with firing stem from reporting and have not been fully corroborated in public records provided to Congress.
Bottom Line
Democratic senators have opened a narrow but consequential oversight front into how $220 million in DHS ad spending was awarded and whether personal ties influenced procurement. By demanding contracts, subcontractor lists and disclosures of any ties to advisers such as Corey Lewandowski, lawmakers aim to map the financial and institutional relationships behind the campaign.
The inquiry arrives amid high political stakes: Noem’s removal, public reporting about no-bid awards and concerns about procurement norms. Absent prompt voluntary cooperation from the companies or additional documentation, the matter could evolve into broader oversight actions, ethics reviews, or legislative proposals to tighten contracting rules.
Sources
- NBC News (national news outlet reporting on senators’ letters and administration statements)
- ProPublica (investigative reporting referenced in senators’ letters)