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In a tense exchange during recent congressional hearings, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faces allegations of providing false testimony regarding the role of her adviser Corey Lewandowski within the department.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, has formally accused Noem of lying to the Senate Judiciary Committee about Lewandowski’s involvement in approving departmental contracts. The accusation stems from Noem’s Tuesday appearance before the committee, where she explicitly denied that Lewandowski, a special government employee, had any role in contract approvals.
“Evidence suggests that your testimony was false,” Blumenthal wrote in a letter sent to Noem on Wednesday. “Internal DHS records show that Mr. Lewandowski has personally approved contracts at DHS, including, but not limited to, a multimillion-dollar contract.” The senator added that current and former DHS employees have confirmed Lewandowski’s signature serves as a “green light” for releasing funds to contractors.
The controversy deepened during Noem’s subsequent appearance before a House committee on Wednesday, when Representative Jared Moskowitz offered her an opportunity to revise her previous statement. Rather than directly addressing the contradiction, Noem simply reiterated, “What I would say is that he is an adviser to the Department of Homeland Security.”
Sources close to the department have told ABC News that Lewandowski effectively functions as Noem’s de facto chief of staff, despite his status as a special government employee limiting him to just 130 working days at the department. Multiple sources indicate that both Lewandowski and Noem personally approve contracts, with insiders claiming that “nothing” reaches the secretary without first securing Lewandowski’s approval.
The Department of Homeland Security has attempted to clarify Lewandowski’s position through an official statement, emphasizing his status as an unpaid volunteer. “Mr. Lewandowski’s time is kept by a career DHS employee who submits the paperwork on a bi-weekly basis,” a department spokesperson said. “He has completed all of the required Office of Government Ethics forms, including full financial disclosure and any investments by his family. Mr. Lewandowski does not receive a salary or any federal government benefits.”
The spokesperson further characterized his role as that of an adviser, adding that “The Secretary, like all previous Secretaries, has various senior advisors.” However, this explanation appears at odds with reports from multiple sources regarding his substantial influence over departmental contracting.
Lewandowski’s visibility in Noem’s official activities has also raised eyebrows among lawmakers and observers. He frequently accompanies the secretary to public events, with journalists noting his behind-the-scenes presence at numerous speaking engagements.
The scrutiny over Lewandowski’s role has extended beyond professional boundaries, with two Democratic representatives directly questioning Noem about the nature of their relationship. When asked if they were romantically linked, Noem dismissed the line of questioning as “garbage” without offering a direct denial. Both Lewandowski and Noem have previously rejected allegations of a romantic relationship, and both are married to other people.
This controversy emerges during a particularly challenging period for the Department of Homeland Security, which has faced intense criticism over its handling of immigration enforcement. The department has been operating under funding constraints, complicating Noem’s early tenure as secretary.
The allegations regarding false testimony could potentially have serious implications, as providing false information to Congress can constitute a federal offense. Senator Blumenthal’s letter suggests this matter may face continued congressional scrutiny in the coming weeks.
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4 Comments
Interesting development in this ongoing saga. I’m curious to hear more details on Lewandowski’s alleged involvement in DHS contracts and whether Noem’s testimony was indeed false. Transparency around government contracting is crucial.
Allegations of false testimony are always troubling, regardless of political affiliation. I’ll be following this story closely to see how it unfolds and whether Noem is able to adequately address the concerns raised by Senator Blumenthal.
This is a complex issue, but the core question of whether Noem was truthful in her statements to Congress is critical. I hope the committees can conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the facts.
This seems like a serious allegation against Secretary Noem. If the evidence suggests she provided false testimony, that’s a concerning breach of public trust. I hope the committees can get to the bottom of Lewandowski’s role and Noem’s statements.