DHS Contract Investigation
Internal Watchdog Investigates Corey Lewandowski Over Alleged DHS Contract Improprieties
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Key Points
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Lewandowski served as a special government employee at DHS from April 2025 through March 2026, during Kristi Noem’s tenure.
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Because of his special-government-employee status, Lewandowski reportedly was not required to relinquish outside salaries or investments before joining the department, a provision critics say could have enabled potential conflicts of interest.
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The report also alleges that Lewandowski pressured contractors seeking federal work for personal kickbacks, a claim beyond the broader allegations of improper contract awards; his representatives deny wrongdoing.
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After leaving DHS, Lewandowski reportedly began working as a consultant, including for Bahrain, which signed a contract with him after his government service ended.
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Lewandowski and Noem reportedly left DHS after current President Donald Trump fired Noem in March, amid what the report described as multiple scandals and controversies surrounding her tenure.
Wall Street Journal reported that Corey Lewandowski, a close Trump ally, allegedly used his DHS role to influence billions in contracts and seek foreign government work. Lewandowski served as a special government employee under Secretary Kristi Noem from April 2025 through March 2026. The department's internal watchdog is investigating possible improprieties, including whether Lewandowski improperly steered contracts and pressured vendors for personal kickbacks.
Lewandowski's representatives deny he sought foreign contracts, demanded compensation, or participated in contract approvals. His special government employee status allowed him to keep outside salaries and investments, potentially creating conflicts of interest. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates both rejected his visa-service proposals, reportedly surprised he was making such overtures given their existing Trump administration channels.
Shadow Influence Over DHS Contracts
Wall Street Journal portrayed Lewandowski as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure who shaped major DHS spending decisions. The watchdog investigation examined a Palantir contract that was reduced from $2.7 billion to $1 billion, scrutinizing whether Lewandowski played an improper role. Officials reportedly found evidence linking him to questionable contract awards, though his team disputes all allegations of wrongdoing.
Foreign Government Pitches While in Office
Lewandowski approached Qatar and the United Arab Emirates with proposals to provide visa services and other government-related work. Both nations rejected the offers, according to Wall Street Journal reporting. The refusal came partly because each country already had direct channels to the Trump administration and found the overtures unusual given Lewandowski's DHS position.
Beyond seeking foreign contracts, Lewandowski allegedly pressured contractors bidding for federal DHS work to provide him personal payments. His representatives firmly deny demanding kickbacks or any form of compensation from vendors competing for government business. These allegations represent a separate line of inquiry from the broader contract-manipulation investigation.
Loophole in Special Employee Rules
Lewandowski's special government employee classification allowed him to retain outside income and investments while serving at DHS. Critics argue this provision created an obvious conflict of interest. Regular federal employees must typically divest holdings and outside salaries before taking office, but special government employee rules are more permissive—potentially enabling exactly the kind of dual-role behavior alleged here.
Post-Government Work and Leadership Departures
After leaving DHS, Lewandowski transitioned to consulting work, including a contract with Bahrain signed after his government service ended. Lewandowski and Noem both departed DHS after Trump fired Noem in March amid multiple scandals surrounding her tenure. Yahoo News reported on the corruption allegations as the watchdog investigation continued into his former DHS conduct.
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