US justice department investigating Corey Lewandowski over DHS role

Notably, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether Corey Lewandowski.

Key points

• Lewandowski served as a campaign manager to Trump during his first presidential run in 2016 and supported advise his 2024 campaign.
• He additionally allegedly put certain grants and contracts on hold, including some involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the office-holders informed Reuters.
• The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether Corey Lewandowski.
• "Mr Lewandowski has not been contacted by the justice department regarding any investigation, " his attorney, Adam Trigg, remarked.
• The probe is related to contracts the agency signed under Noem's leadership, a source informed CBS.

Notably, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether Corey Lewandowski. This person was a top aide to former Department ⁠of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, personally profited from his role, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.

When the two were both ousted after a series of controversies, including the fatal shootings of US citizens by immigration officers, lewandowski worked closely with Noem as a special administration employee until March.

Meanwhile, the probe is related to contracts the agency signed under Noem's leadership, a source informed CBS.

Notably, the BBC has contacted Lewandowski's attorney. This person informed CBS his client denies any wrongdoing.

Asked regarding the investigation on Thursday, President Donald Trump stated to journalists he had heard regarding it but did not know the details, adding, "I want my people to be honest".

"And if they're not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted, " he remarked.

DHS authorities informed Reuters that Lewandowski had approved some DHS contracts despite not having the legal authority to do so as a special administration employee.

Special administration employees serve as temporary advisers to federal agencies and are given strict limits on how much they can work and what they can do.

In practice, the justice department took on the investigation after receiving a referral from the DHS inspector general's office. It is created up of lawyers charged with monitoring the agency's conduct and operations. At DHS, Lewandowski served as Noem's de facto chief of staff.

Noem additionally faced a contract controversy. Shortly before she left office, lawmakers pressed her regarding the process she had employed to award a $220m (£164m) advertising contract to two firms with ties to her and residents in her inner circle.

For context, the Wall Street Journal has documented, external that Lewandowski additionally allegedly tried to employ his role at DHS for financial gain by asking Middle Eastern countries to hire him on the side to assist with visa and other DHS problems.

Taken together, the developments around US justice department investigating Corey Lewandowski over DHS role point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.