{"id":26443,"date":"2026-04-02T14:02:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/dhs-noem-lewandowski-probe\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T14:02:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:02:25","slug":"dhs-noem-lewandowski-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/dhs-noem-lewandowski-probe\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump Administration Live Updates: House Takes No Action on Bill to End D.H.S. Shutdown &#8211; The New York Times"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p><strong>Lead:<\/strong> The Department of Homeland Security inspector general has opened a broad review into contract decisions made during Secretary Kristi Noem\u2019s tenure, focusing in part on interactions between senior adviser Corey Lewandowski and companies seeking DHS business. The inquiry, led by Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, follows complaints from vendors including Palantir and comes after Noem\u2019s abrupt firing last month. New DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, sworn in last week, has said he will cooperate with the investigation and has already reversed a Noem-era rule requiring her personal sign-off on contracts over $100,000. The probe has prompted preservation orders for emails and devices across the department as officials try to establish what happened.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The DHS inspector general, Joseph V. Cuffari, has opened an expansive review of contract handling during Kristi Noem\u2019s tenure, including scrutiny of Corey Lewandowski\u2019s outreach to vendors.<\/li>\n<li>Palantir is among the firms that have complained about interactions with Lewandowski; the company has previously provided data tools used by DHS programs.<\/li>\n<li>Former Secretary Noem was dismissed last month; Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as DHS secretary last week and has pledged cooperation with the IG.<\/li>\n<li>Mullin rescinded a Noem policy requiring her personal review of contracts above $100,000 to streamline procurement and restore component authority.<\/li>\n<li>Investigators have issued preservation instructions for emails, Signal messages, texts and other communications, and court filings indicate at least one contractor\u2019s government phones were placed under a preservation notice before March 20.<\/li>\n<li>NBC reported claims that Lewandowski demanded payments from GEO Group; Lewandowski\u2019s lawyer has strongly denied those accusations.<\/li>\n<li>Mr. Cuffari, nominated to the IG post in 2019, previously clashed with Noem over access to department records, and several inspectors general were removed or demoted during Mr. Trump\u2019s second term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>Kristi Noem was appointed to lead DHS amid a push by the administration to intensify immigration enforcement and expand deportation operations. Her tenure drew criticism for a high-profile advertising campaign and for concentrating contract approvals at the top of the agency. Noem\u2019s special adviser, Corey Lewandowski \u2014 not a federal employee \u2014 worked in an advisory role that agency officials say was intended to be limited but that critics say became influential in procurement decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, a Trump-era appointee confirmed in 2019, has authority to review department contracting and program management. Cuffari and Noem previously clashed over access to DHS records, with Cuffari telling Congress earlier this year that he had been blocked from databases and information necessary for oversight. The current inquiry follows vendor complaints and reporting that raised questions about whether nonofficial advisers exerted undue influence over which contractors received DHS work.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>The IG\u2019s review centers on alleged outreach by Corey Lewandowski to companies seeking DHS contracts, according to multiple people familiar with the inquiry. Among those named by sources is Palantir, a data firm whose tools have been used across DHS for programs including immigration tracking. Sources said Palantir and other vendors complained to administration officials about their dealings with Lewandowski; those accounts were shared on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing.<\/p>\n<p>Officials say the inspector general\u2019s office has instructed DHS components to preserve all electronic messaging and records related to contracting, spanning emails, texts and secure messaging apps. Court filings indicate that government-issued phones for one contractor, Kara Voorhies\u2014who had worked at FEMA and previously at a private financial firm\u2014were placed under preservation notice before March 20, and that Voorhies left federal service in mid-March.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Lewandowski\u2019s office issued a statement denying any awareness of outreach from the inspector general and denying wrongdoing, noting that contracting decisions are made by authorized DHS officials and pointing to cost savings it attributed to reforms. The IG\u2019s office declined to confirm or deny an investigation. Palantir did not respond to requests for comment, and the Homeland Security Department and the White House declined to comment when asked.<\/p>\n<p>Separately, NBC News reported allegations that Lewandowski demanded payments from GEO Group related to the company\u2019s work with DHS; Lewandowski\u2019s lawyer, Adam Trigg, denied those claims in a public statement, saying Lewandowski \u201cadamantly denies\u201d demanding payment from any contractor. The IG\u2019s probe also appears to extend to people with ties to Lewandowski across DHS components, including immigration enforcement, TSA, FEMA, the Secret Service and the Coast Guard.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>The inquiry raises questions about how informal advisers can influence procurement in a large, decentralized agency. If the IG finds evidence that a non-government adviser steered contracts for private gain or improperly intervened in procurement, it could lead to administrative sanctions, criminal referrals, or contract cancellations. Such outcomes would also prompt congressional oversight and potentially slow urgent operational contracting during disasters or enforcement surges.<\/p>\n<p>Markwayne Mullin\u2019s swift reversal of the Noem-era contract review requirement signals an immediate attempt to normalize procurement operations and devolve authority to component heads. That move may reduce bottlenecks but could also complicate the IG\u2019s ability to trace decision pathways if approvals are dispersed. Mullin\u2019s public cooperation with the IG, as reported by DHS officials, aims to draw a clear line between past controversy and current management.<\/p>\n<p>The involvement of major vendors such as Palantir and GEO Group heightens the political stakes. Both companies supply mission-critical services to DHS components; any disruption to those contracts could affect immigration case management, detention operations and disaster response. Even absent legal findings, reputational damage to contractors or officials could influence future bidding and the cost of services to taxpayers.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Policy<\/th>\n<th>Threshold<\/th>\n<th>Effect<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Pre-Noem practice<\/td>\n<td>Delegated to components<\/td>\n<td>Faster approvals at operating level<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Noem requirement<\/td>\n<td>$100,000 \u2014 personal review<\/td>\n<td>Centralized sign-off; added delays and scrutiny<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Post-Mullin revision<\/td>\n<td>Delegated \u2014 Noem rule rescinded<\/td>\n<td>Streamlined procurement; restored component authority<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table above summarizes how contract approval authority shifted during the period in question. Centralizing reviews at the secretary\u2019s office for contracts above $100,000 concentrated decision-making but increased the visibility of selections and created a single point of accountability \u2014 and potential influence. Restoring delegated authority reduces friction for urgent purchases but returns the challenge of ensuring consistent oversight across DHS\u2019s many components.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>The IG\u2019s office declined public comment on ongoing reviews; DHS components have been told to preserve communications.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Contracting decisions rest with authorized officials at D.H.S. When $15 billion has been saved for American taxpayers, he recognizes that entrenched interests may be resistant to the reforms which were executed.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Statement from Corey Lewandowski\u2019s office<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Lewandowski\u2019s statement frames his role as reform-minded while denying impropriety; it also references claimed savings, a line the IG will likely examine as it reviews contract justifications and procurement records.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Mr. Lewandowski adamantly denies ever demanding any payment or compensation from any potential, former or current government contractor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Adam Trigg, lawyer for Corey Lewandowski<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Trigg\u2019s denial responds directly to media reporting about payments alleged by a contractor; the IG will need to corroborate such claims with documents, bank records or witness testimony before reaching conclusions.<\/p>\n<h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: How DHS contracting oversight works<\/summary>\n<p>The Department of Homeland Security comprises multiple operating components \u2014 TSA, FEMA, ICE, Coast Guard, Secret Service and immigration enforcement agencies \u2014 each with contracting officers authorized to award and manage contracts. The inspector general audits and investigates alleged waste, fraud and abuse; it can issue findings, recommend administrative actions, and refer matters to prosecutors. Preservation notices are standard tools used by investigators to ensure relevant communications and devices are not altered or destroyed while a review is active.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Allegations that Corey Lewandowski personally demanded payments from GEO Group remain reported by media but have not been independently corroborated in public filings.<\/li>\n<li>The extent to which Kristi Noem\u2019s dismissal was directly caused by contract-related controversies has not been publicly confirmed; multiple factors were cited by officials.<\/li>\n<li>Whether preserved devices contain evidence of improper influence or payments is not yet established; the IG\u2019s review is ongoing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>The inspector general\u2019s review of DHS contracting during Kristi Noem\u2019s tenure elevates longstanding concerns about the role of outside advisers and centralized approval rules. Preservation orders and the resignation or departure of key contractors have created a paper trail that the IG can use to reconstruct who made which decisions and why.<\/p>\n<p>New Secretary Markwayne Mullin has taken steps to distance the department from the prior administration\u2019s procurement practices and has signaled cooperation with oversight. The investigation\u2019s findings \u2014 whether they show procedural failures, improper influence, or no actionable misconduct \u2014 will shape congressional oversight, contractor relationships and internal DHS procurement controls going forward.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/live\/2026\/04\/02\/us\/trump-news\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The New York Times \u2014 Live coverage and reporting (news)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBC News \u2014 Reporting on alleged payments involving GEO Group (news)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CNN \u2014 Prior reporting on inspector general inquiries and preservation notices (news)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oig.dhs.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DHS Office of Inspector General \u2014 Office of the inspector general (official)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead: The Department of Homeland Security inspector general has opened a broad review into contract decisions made during Secretary Kristi Noem\u2019s tenure, focusing in part on interactions between senior adviser Corey Lewandowski and companies seeking DHS business. The inquiry, led by Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, follows complaints from vendors including Palantir and comes after &#8230; <a title=\"Trump Administration Live Updates: House Takes No Action on Bill to End D.H.S. Shutdown &#8211; The New York Times\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/dhs-noem-lewandowski-probe\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Trump Administration Live Updates: House Takes No Action on Bill to End D.H.S. Shutdown &#8211; The New York Times\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26442,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Trump Admin Live: DHS Probe Intensifies \u2014 DeepNews","rank_math_description":"DHS inspector general examines contracts tied to Kristi Noem and adviser Corey Lewandowski after vendor complaints; new Secretary Markwayne Mullin orders record preservation and policy reversals.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"DHS, Kristi Noem, Corey Lewandowski, inspector general, Palantir, Markwayne Mullin","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26443"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26443\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}