Former political adviser to Donald Trump and senior official at the Department of Homeland Security Corey Lewandowski is under criminal investigation for allegedly exploiting his role in the US government. Three US officials and a fourth person familiar with the case told Reuters on Thursday that the investigation is underway.
The probe began with a criminal referral sent to the Department of Justice by the internal oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. The Office of the Inspector General of that ministry is examining Lewandowski’s involvement in the handling of certain government contracts. All four individuals who spoke about the case did so on condition of anonymity.
Corey Lewandowski’s lawyer, Adam Trigg, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The investigation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which cited a statement from Lewandowski’s lawyer saying his client rejects all allegations of illegal conduct. The Department of Justice has not yet issued any subpoenas or other legal demands in this criminal investigation.
The Department of Justice under Trump has conducted investigations against several prominent critics of the president, including former FBI director James Comey and New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Investigations into people close to Trump are rare. The Department has also initiated proceedings to dismiss several existing cases involving Trump’s allies, including supporters charged in connection with the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
Trump told reporters that he did not know the details of the investigation. “I want my people to be honest,” Trump said. “And if they are not honest, I will order my Department of Justice to do what it must.”
Lewandowski was a senior aide to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her tenure leading the department. Trump dismissed Noem in March after months of controversy. The controversies included fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal police officers in Minneapolis and questions from lawmakers about a $220 million advertising contract that promoted Noem and was awarded without a standard competitive process.
Lewandowski signed some Department of Homeland Security contracts despite having questionable legal authority as a special government employee. Certain grants and contracts, including those relating to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were placed on hold by Lewandowski’s directive. Lewandowski previously served as campaign manager during Trump’s first presidential bid in 2016 and advised Trump’s 2024 campaign.
