March 26 (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General launched an investigation into how contracts have been solicited and handled, including the involvement of former Secretary Kristi Noem and her aide Corey Lewandowski, CNN reported on Thursday, citing two sources familiar with the probe.
The investigation is separate from an inspector general audit into DHS grants and contracts awarded during fiscal year 2025, according to CNN.
The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Noem faced scrutiny at congressional hearings in early March over a $220 million ad campaign that was awarded to Republican-connected firms without a standard contract bidding process.
U.S. President Donald Trump fired Noem after the hearings, saying she would become special envoy to a new “Shield of the Americas” initiative to promote his security policies in the Western Hemisphere. Noem has since been replaced by former U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin.
(Reporting by Christian Martinez and Ismail Shakil; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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