On October 22, 2026, the Wall Street Journal, then CNN, CBS News and NBC News, each citing their own sources, reported that the Justice Department is investigating Corey Lewandowski, the Trump campaign veteran who served as a “special government employee” at DHS while acting as Secretary Kristi Noem's chief adviser, over allegations he used the position for financial gain on agency contracts. NBC reported the DHS inspector general referred its investigation to the Justice Department, and that the inquiry stems from questions about how a $220 million advertising contract was awarded and grew to include allegations that Lewandowski sought a “success fee” from the private prison company GEO Group, which declined. A Lewandowski spokesperson denied that account in March.
CNN reported that D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro had told officials in her office she wanted investigators to look into claims of kickbacks connected to DHS contracting, and that it was not yet clear which U.S. Attorney's office is leading the probe. The Justice Department declined to comment. Lewandowski's attorney Adam Trigg 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.”
Asked about the investigation on October 22, Trump said he had only just learned of it. “They're stealing from me, so I want my people to be honest,” he said. “And if they're not honest, I'll have my DOJ go and do whatever they have to do.” The allegations are unproven and no charges have been filed. CNN noted that Lewandowski's straddling of senior DHS functions while formally a special government employee, a role meant to last a limited number of days, was “uncharted territory.”