Lawmakers Demand Urgent Probe into Noem’s $220M DHS Ad Contracts

UPDATE: Just moments ago, five U.S. senators and two representatives called for an urgent investigation into a controversial contract awarded to a firm linked to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The firm, known as the Strategy Group, received a portion of a staggering $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign, raising serious ethical concerns.

The demands for documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) follow a shocking report from ProPublica, which revealed that the Strategy Group had been secretly involved in creating ads featuring Noem. These ads reportedly bypassed the standard competitive bidding process, with most funds funneled to a mysterious Delaware LLC established just days before the deal was finalized.

In a letter to the DHS inspector general, four Senate Democrats, including Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), asserted, “The public deserves to know that government officials are not using taxpayer dollars to enrich themselves and their friends on the backs of hardworking Americans.” They are demanding clarity on whether federal laws and contracting regulations were violated.

In a parallel effort, Representatives Bennie Thompson and Robert Garcia are also seeking all communications between Noem and her associates regarding the Strategy Group and the Delaware LLC. They expressed their intention to investigate Noem for “lining your friends’ pockets at the taxpayer’s expense.”

This scandal has escalated to the level of congressional outrage, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling for Noem’s resignation. “This is what corruption looks like,” stated Rep. Jasmine Crockett during a congressional hearing. “They’re stealing money from the American people’s pockets and depositing it into their bank accounts.”

The involvement of the Strategy Group in DHS activities has raised alarms among federal contracting experts, who suggest potential violations of ethics rules due to the deep connections between Noem, her aides, and the firm. The Strategy Group’s CEO, Ben Yoho, is married to Tricia McLaughlin, who oversees the DHS Office of Public Affairs.

ProPublica’s investigation highlights that the Strategy Group played a pivotal role in producing an ad where Noem appears on horseback at Mount Rushmore, delivering a message to immigrants. This connection amplifies the scrutiny surrounding the decision-making processes within DHS.

When questioned about the Strategy Group’s role, McLaughlin claimed a conflict of interest and stated, “We don’t have visibility into why they were chosen.” However, DHS has since reiterated that it contracts “by the book” and does not select subcontractors.

As this story develops, the DHS inspector general has not confirmed whether an investigation will commence but stated that it typically does not disclose such information. The urgency of this situation is palpable as lawmakers demand accountability for the allocation of taxpayer dollars.

This emerging story is expected to draw more attention as public sentiment swells against perceived government mismanagement and corruption. The implications of this investigation could resonate far beyond the halls of Congress, affecting public trust and federal contracting practices.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this developing situation.