1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong support for Senator Richard Blumenthal's investigation into whether former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem committed perjury before Congress. The evidence suggesting she lied about Corey Lewandowski's role in approving DHS contracts demands thorough scrutiny, regardless of her dismissal. During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Noem denied that Lewandowski, her senior adviser and longtime Trump ally, had any contracting role at DHS. She described him as a special government employee working for the White House. However, DHS records obtained by Senator Blumenthal allegedly show that Lewandowski personally signed off on contracts and that department staff treated his signature as authorization for spending. This directly contradicts her sworn testimony. The circumstances surrounding a $250,000 contract awarded to American Made Media Company raise serious concerns about corruption. Federal procurement records show this newly formed Republican consultancy, whose principals have deep professional ties to Lewandowski, secured the contract just four days after an unusually rushed posting on September 26, 2024. The contract required bidders to demonstrate an established track record of promoting Trump administration policies in the media, and bids were due within 24 hours. The company has no record of prior government contracting work, yet it won a six-figure taxpayer-funded contract. Politico and the Wall Street Journal reported that Lewandowski was involved in clearing six-figure FEMA contracts and that contracts above $100,000 were routed through the secretary's office, giving Noem and Lewandowski unusual control over department spending. Even Republican Senator John Kennedy stated he had information contradicting Noem's account and told reporters he was confident in his information. Lying to Congress carries criminal penalties and undermines the integrity of congressional oversight. I urge you to support Senator Blumenthal's efforts to investigate this matter fully, including demanding documents and soliciting whistleblowers. Accountability for potential perjury cannot end simply because someone was fired.