Kristi Noem Faces DOJ Perjury Investigation Over False DHS Statements
Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been formally referred to the Justice Department for a perjury investigation following what Democratic lawmakers describe as "brazen" false statements made during congressional testimony. The referral comes just weeks after Noem was fired from her position leading the Department of Homeland Security earlier this month.
False Claims About $220 Million Advertising Campaign
According to a detailed letter sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday, senior Democratic members of Congress allege that Noem "repeatedly misled" lawmakers in what they characterize as a deliberate attempt to undermine congressional oversight. The allegations center primarily on a controversial $220 million advertising campaign that featured Noem prominently on horseback in front of Mount Rushmore.
During her testimony before the Senate in early March, Noem asserted that President Donald Trump was fully aware of the planned campaign spending and that the contracts had been awarded through a competitive bidding process. However, subsequent revelations have contradicted both claims. President Trump himself later told Reuters that he had no prior knowledge of the substantial expenditure, while investigative reports indicate the contracts were awarded to a select group of firms with direct connections to Noem and her senior advisers.
"Even if Secretary Noem was the one telling the truth about the President's knowledge, and she may well have been, she flatly misrepresented that the contract had been subject to a competitive bid," the congressional referral letter explicitly states, highlighting what lawmakers view as clear inconsistencies in her testimony.
Additional Allegations of Misleading Congress
The Democratic lawmakers, led by Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Jamie Raskin, have leveled further accusations against the outgoing secretary. They claim Noem provided additional false statements regarding the Department of Homeland Security's compliance with court orders and its adherence to detention standards.
Specifically, the referral points to documented court rulings showing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement violated hundreds of judicial orders within just a few months in Minnesota alone. Furthermore, the lawmakers cited regular allegations and internal audits that have uncovered unsanitary and inhumane conditions within immigrant detention facilities, which are reportedly experiencing their worst year for in-custody deaths in over two decades.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Political Implications
Despite her imminent departure from the Department of Homeland Security, where she will formally leave at month's end before assuming a diplomatic role overseeing the Shield of the Americas initiative, Noem continues to face significant scrutiny. The Democratic lawmakers noted in their correspondence that the statute of limitations for perjury and making false statements to Congress extends five years, ensuring the matter could resurface in future political contexts.
The referral letter explicitly acknowledges political tensions, stating: "While we have low expectations that you will pursue this matter given your partisan weaponization of the Department of Justice, we note that the statute of limitations for perjury and for knowingly and willfully making false statements to Congress is five years." This suggests that Noem could face renewed investigation should Democrats regain congressional control in the 2026 midterm elections or subsequent contests.
Broader Context of DOJ Actions
The Trump administration's Department of Justice has previously pursued high-profile perjury cases against former officials, most notably launching a prosecution against former FBI Director James Comey last year. That case, which alleged Comey lied to Congress in 2020, was ultimately dismissed though remains under appeal. However, the current administration has demonstrated reluctance to impose external oversight on immigration officials, declining to initiate civil rights investigations in several controversial instances involving federal agents.
Simultaneously, the Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog is reportedly conducting its own investigation into the contracting process behind the $220 million advertising campaign. Previous reports have alleged that DHS leadership has "systematically obstructed" the internal oversight office's work throughout the past year, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding controversy surrounding Noem's tenure and testimony.
