DHS Secretary CAUGHT — $220 Million Corruption EXPOSED

A bombshell investigation reveals that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem orchestrated a systematic scheme to funnel over $220 million in taxpayer funds to politically connected firms while simultaneously dismantling the oversight offices designed to prevent exactly this kind of corruption.

Story Highlights

DHS awarded $220 million in contracts to firms with direct personal ties to Noem and her senior staff
Noem closed internal oversight offices and placed accountability staff on administrative leave during the spending spree
Congressional investigation launched into $200 million luxury jet purchases for Noem’s personal use
Federal contracting expert calls the scheme “corrupt” and demands inspector general investigation

The Web of Personal Enrichment

ProPublica’s explosive investigation uncovered a brazen pay-to-play operation centered on the Strategy Group, a Republican consulting firm. The company’s CEO married the head of DHS’s Office of Public Affairs, while Strategy Group simultaneously paid Madison Sheahan, Noem’s close adviser who now serves as ICE’s second-in-command. This cozy arrangement allowed millions in taxpayer dollars to flow directly into the pockets of Noem’s inner circle.

The corruption runs deeper than simple favoritism. Noem instituted a policy requiring her personal approval for any DHS payment exceeding $100,000, centralizing control over massive contracts in her own hands. She then used emergency powers to bypass competitive bidding processes, ensuring her preferred vendors received lucrative deals without scrutiny.

Dismantling the Watchdogs

Perhaps most damning is Noem’s systematic destruction of internal accountability mechanisms. In March 2025, she placed oversight office staff on administrative leave, effectively shuttering the very offices designed to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. This calculated move eliminated internal checks on DHS spending precisely as hundreds of millions in questionable contracts were being awarded.

RFK Human Rights filed suit against DHS for closing these critical oversight offices, forcing a federal court to intervene. The judge ordered DHS to publicly announce the offices remained open, but the damage was already done. For months, no independent oversight existed while Noem’s allies enriched themselves with public funds.

Congressional Outrage and Luxury Spending

The scandal expanded when congressional investigators discovered Noem’s $200 million purchase of luxury private jets for her personal use. Senator Gary Peters urged the DHS Inspector General to investigate what he called “unrestrained corruption and waste.” The timing raises serious questions about priorities when DHS claims budget constraints for essential operations while purchasing extravagant executive perks.

Charles Tiefer, a respected federal contract law authority, minced no words in his assessment. “It’s corrupt, is the word,” he declared, calling for immediate inspector general and congressional investigations. His expertise carries weight in Washington circles where such direct accusations are rarely made so forcefully.