Judiciary Democrats Demand Chairman Jordan Subpoena Corey Lewandowski Over Role in $220 Million No-Bid DHS Ad Spending Scheme

Washington, D.C. (March 25, 2026)—Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Joe Neguse led Committee Democrats in demanding that Chairman Jim Jordan launch an investigation into allegations that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials steered hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to politically connected firms through no-bid contracts—and subpoena Corey Lewandowski, former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s top adviser and “special government employee,” over his central role in the spending.

Democrats’ demand comes after Chairman Jordan himself said he is “concerned” and that the Committee would “take a look” at the spending. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino also acknowledged that Mr. Lewandowski “had his hands in a lot and probably should not have.” 

“We urge you to use the Committee’s subpoena power to compel production of documents and communications regarding Mr. Lewandowski’s role in awarding these contracts and require Corey Lewandowski to appear before the Committee for a deposition. […] Oversight of DHS is our shared responsibility. Let’s work together, on behalf of American taxpayers, to investigate  these corrupt contracts and DHS’s efforts to cover them up,” the Members wrote. 

The facts surrounding former Secretary Noem and Mr. Lewandowski’s conduct are deeply troubling. DHS bypassed competitive bidding requirements to spend $220 million on a series of television advertisements, including spots prominently featuring Secretary Noem.

Even more alarming, $143 million was routed to a newly formed LLC created just days earlier, which then funneled funds to a firm with close ties to Secretary Noem and her senior staff—raising serious questions about whether taxpayer dollars were deliberately steered to political allies.

Despite Secretary Noem’s sworn testimony denying Mr. Lewandowski’s involvement, internal records reviewed by  ProPublica suggest otherwise. Those records indicate that Mr. Lewandowski approved major contracts, signed off on spending before it reached the Secretary’s desk, and exercised effective veto power over expenditures exceeding $100,000—all while refusing to disclose whether he received outside compensation from entities tied to the contracts.

President Donald Trump has publicly disavowed the advertising campaign, reportedly a key factor in Secretary Noem’s removal.

Judiciary Democrats are calling on Chairman Jordan to follow through: launch a full investigation, use the Committee’s subpoena power, and compel Mr. Lewandowski to testify and produce documents detailing his role in directing DHS contracts.

Click here to read the letter to Chairman Jordan.