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Justice Department Investigates Corey Lewandowski Over DHS Allegations
· Confirmed
In Short: The Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski, a longtime adviser to President Donald Trump, over allegations that he profited from his role at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski, a longtime adviser to President Donald Trump, over allegations that he profited from his role at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The probe stems from a criminal referral sent by the DHS inspector general, marking a significant escalation in the legal scrutiny of the high-profile political figure.
According to Fox News, a source familiar with the matter confirmed the investigation. Lewandowski served as an adviser to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and played a significant role in directing the agency’s immigration operations. He also hosted meetings in Noem’s office without her presence, wielding considerable influence within the department.
When asked about the inquiry by reporters outside the White House, President Trump stated, 'All I know is I want my people to be honest.' He added, 'If people are not honest, they’re stealing from me.' Trump also said he would handle any dishonest individuals through 'my DOJ,' indicating his support for the investigation.
A representative for Lewandowski told The Wall Street Journal that he has not been contacted by the Justice Department and denied any wrongdoing. 'Mr. Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department regarding any investigation, and he denies any wrongdoing when he was proudly serving his country in a voluntary capacity,' said his lawyer, Adam Trigg, in a statement.
The allegations against Lewandowski emerged after Noem was fired and after Lewandowski left the department. The Wall Street Journal reported that the inquiry is based on a referral from the DHS inspector general, which shared its findings about Lewandowski’s tenure at the department in recent days.
The investigation marks one of the rare instances in which an ally or appointee of President Trump has been investigated for potential wrongdoing during his second term. The inquiry was initiated in response to a referral from the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, according to multiple reports.
Some of the approvals during Lewandowski’s tenure were reviewed by him, who signed memos greenlighting the spending alongside Noem. The DHS inspector general has been scrutinizing how contracts were handled during their tenure, leading to the criminal referral to the Justice Department.
While the DHS Office of the Inspector General declined to confirm the existence of the probe into Lewandowski, a spokesperson noted that an annual audit of DHS grants and contracts awarded 'through means other than full and open competition during fiscal year 2025' was underway, as required by Congress.
Background
A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice, is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice or a secretary of justice.
What's confirmed
- "All I know is I want my people to be honest," Trump said.
- The inquiry, one of the rare instances in which an ally or appointee of President Donald Trump has been investigated for potential wrongdoing during his second term, was initiated in response to a referral from the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, the officials said.
- “Mr. Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department regarding any investigation, and he denies any wrongdoing when he was proudly serving his country in a voluntary capacity,” the lawyer, Adam Trigg, said in a statement.
What's still developing
- “This is absolutely false and did not happen — Mr. Lewandowski never demanded any payment or compensation from the Geo Group, at any time,” his representative said.
- The DOJ is looking into whether Lewandowski, a Trump campaign manager in 2016, benefited from his role at DHS for personal financial gain, although his lawyer denied any wrongdoing.
- The referral is among the first in a Trump administration that has avoided investigating its own, even as lawmakers and others accuse the Justice Department of targeting Trump's political adversaries instead.
- Noem also faced controversy in her final stretch in the job over her alleged affair with Lewandowski, though both deny any extramarital relationship.
- The Justice Department is looking into Lewandowski's alleged DHS contracting scheme.
- One source characterized the requested payment as a “success fee.” The company declined the requests, according to the reporting.
- “I will never do anything to stop the prosecution of someone who’s dishonest,” Trump said.
- Lewandowski stayed close to Trump, also serving as a senior advisor during his 2020 and 2024 campaigns.
- "advancing this administration's agenda and (remains) confident that the facts and not anonymous accusations will ultimately speak for themselves."
- A spokesperson for Lewandowski in March denied that account of his interactions with the GEO Group.