The Justice Department is investigating allegations that Corey Lewandowski used his position at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for financial gain, two sources familiar with the probe told CBS News 1. Lewandowski was a senior adviser and de facto chief of staff to then-Secretary Kristi Noem. Both left the department in March 1.
The case began after the Justice Department received a referral from DHS's Office of Inspector General, the department's internal watchdog. The watchdog shared its findings in recent weeks 1. One source said the allegations of personal profit are tied to contracts set up while Noem ran DHS 1. The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation 1.
What Lewandowski and the White House say
Lewandowski has not been charged with a crime and has denied wrongdoing 1. His attorney, Adam Trigg, said his client had not been contacted by the Justice Department about any investigation 1. The Justice Department declined to comment 1.
President Trump was asked about the matter on Thursday. He said he had just heard about it and had not been briefed by Attorney General Todd Blanche 1. Here is what he said on the record:
I want my people to be honest, and if they're not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted.
Earlier allegations
This is not the first time Lewandowski's conduct has drawn scrutiny. In June, Sen. Maggie Hassan, a New Hampshire Democrat, opened her own inquiry. She cited allegations that he sought personal payments from government contractors 2.
Her office's letter described several allegations, which remain unproven. One says Lewandowski asked the head of GEO Group for payment to protect and expand its DHS contracts. After the company declined, he reportedly ordered DHS to award it no more contracts 2. Another says a $140 million contract to overhaul deportation flight aircraft went to Daedalus Aviation despite its lack of relevant experience. The company is reportedly owned by a campaign donor 2.
Hassan said the allegations:
indicate significant corruption and abuse of taxpayer dollars
Hassan set a June 26 deadline for documents and answers 2. The press release does not say how Lewandowski responded.
The contract-approval backdrop
CBS News has previously reported that senior DHS officials privately complained about micromanagement by Noem and her adviser. Noem required her personal written approval for contracts, grants and funding obligations above $100,000 1. Some officials said this created large backlogs for essential funding, including disaster relief 1.
What happens next
No charges have been announced, and it is not clear how far the investigation has gone. Lewandowski's lawyer says he has not been contacted 1. The Justice Department is led by Blanche, whom Trump said had not briefed him on the matter 1.
That matters because Lewandowski has been in Trump's circle for years. He managed Trump's early 2016 campaign and played a role in the 2020 and 2024 campaigns 1. Voters can fairly ask whether the same standard will apply to every insider. Trump's comment that dishonest aides must be prosecuted is now on the record 1.
The Record
- Noem and Lewandowski leave DHS (CBS reports March, no exact day) 1.
- Sen. Maggie Hassan opens an inquiry into Lewandowski over alleged solicitation of payments from contractors 2.
- CBS News reports the Justice Department is investigating Lewandowski after a DHS inspector general referral; Trump says dishonest aides must be prosecuted 1.
Sources
- CBS News, “DOJ investigating Corey Lewandowski over DHS role, sources say” (2026-10-22). cbsnews.com/news/doj-corey-lewandowski-dhs-investigation/
- Office of Sen. Maggie Hassan, “Senator Hassan opens investigation into Corey Lewandowski after alleged corruption and abuse of taxpayer dollars” (2026-06-12). hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-hassan-opens-i
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