DHS Officials Allege Trump Was Aware of Noem's $220 Million Ad Campaign
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security have come forward with claims that former President Donald Trump was fully aware of Kristi Noem's controversial $220 million advertising initiative, directly contradicting his public statements of ignorance. This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the high-cost campaign and Noem's subsequent dismissal from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security.
Contradictory Statements and a Swift Dismissal
Kristi Noem was abruptly removed from her position by Trump via a post on Truth Social on March 5. This action followed her sworn testimony before Congress, where she asserted that the commander-in-chief had granted her explicit permission to proceed with the adverts. The campaign's primary objective was to caution illegal migrants within the United States to self-deport or face potential consequences.
One particularly striking advertisement featured Noem seated on a horse with Mount Rushmore in the background, delivering a stern message: 'We will find you and we will deport you.' Following Noem's testimony to Senator John Kennedy, Trump publicly denied ever authorizing the campaign. However, DHS insiders now allege that the former president was not only informed about the initiative but actively desired its execution.
Calls for a Comprehensive Audit and Contract Scrutiny
In the wake of Trump replacing Noem with Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, voices within the DHS are advocating for a 'full audit' of the substantial advertising contract. A source with close ties to the administration confided to the Daily Beast, stating unequivocally that the president 'knew about the campaign and wanted it to happen.' Another official posed critical questions regarding the allocation of funds, expressing a willingness for transparency.
'The big question we are all asking is where did that money go? We could be happy to have a full audit on this tomorrow, going into every single penny of the award, including where it went. Everyone at DHS is happy to turn over our taxes and bank records - but only the White House can agree to that - will they want to?'
When pressed on these allegations and the potential for an audit, the White House response was circumspect. A spokesperson declined to address the financial trail or commit to an investigation, instead noting that 'Contracts are awarded by individual agencies. The White House has no involvement in an agency's contract decisions.'
Political Fallout and Investigations
The revelation of the campaign's exorbitant cost immediately drew fierce criticism and scrutiny. Democrat Representative Joe Neguse, who questioned Noem during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, has been vocal in his condemnation. 'Corruption and self-dealing has become pervasive and endemic within the Trump administration—and the American people deserve answers,' Neguse asserted.
Further complicating matters, investigative reports uncovered that a company awarded a $143 million contract to produce the commercials is owned by Ben Yoho, the husband of Noem's former spokeswoman. This contract was subsequently transferred to Safe America Media, an entity operated by veteran Republican operative Mike McElwain. Notably, McElwain's business partner, Pat McCarthy, was integrated into Trump's 2024 election campaign team, contributing to ads targeting former Vice President Kamala Harris.
A DHS source expressed bewilderment at these connections, questioning the timing and rationale behind McCarthy's involvement. The report also indicates that the White House later insisted Safe America Media 'be considered' for the DHS campaign and formally approved their participation, with written records of this endorsement existing within both the DHS and the White House.
Legal Repercussions and the Scale of the Campaign
Joseph Folio, legal counsel for Safe America Media, defended the firm's work, stating they 'submitted a proposal for and was awarded a contract to support DHS's nationwide public awareness campaign, and committed substantial resources to meet an accelerated timeline on budget.' He added they are prepared to correct inaccuracies in public reporting.
The financial magnitude of this campaign is staggering, ranking as the third-most expensive U.S. government marketing effort in the past decade, surpassed only by COVID public service announcements and military recruitment advertisements. The controversy has escalated to the legal arena, with Noem now referred to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation concerning alleged perjury related to her claims of Trump's approval for the spending.
Top congressional Democrats initiated this referral based on accusations of 'knowingly making false statements under oath' to Congress. While a source familiar with the case suggested the perjury referral might be 'pretty weak,' they acknowledged that the questions surrounding the advertising contracts and their awards present the most significant and enduring challenges, ensuring this scandal will continue to resonate in political discourse.
