FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem gives testimony before a House Judiciary Committee session concerning “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security,” held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 4, 2026. Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Sources indicate the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General is examining agreements that were overseen by previous Homeland Security head Kristi Noem along with the sway of one-time staff member Corey Lewandowski.
As per sources, the inquiry is broad in scope, and court filings suggest that a minimum of one former official from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been instructed to preserve records.
FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem gives testimony before a House Judiciary Committee session concerning “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security,” held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 4, 2026.Kylie Cooper/Reuters
According to a statement from the office, the IG’s establishment does not acknowledge or refute "criminal or administrative" investigations. The office specified it is inspecting DHS provisions and pacts, which it publicly showed on its internet page.
The Department of Homeland Security furnished no reply to ABC News’ request for remarks.
During his hearing for affirmation a month ago, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated the section will work together with any such probes.
Mullin remarked, "The IG will be conducting the inquiry. I will fulfill every requirement under the law. Moreover, with the regulations you enact, I will show absolute clarity. We aim for a sound connection with the IG, as they have obligations to complete."
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, selected by U.S. President Donald Trump as the replacement for U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, departs after a Senate vote in Washington regarding funding for DHS, on Capitol Hill, March 5, 2026. Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Sources claim that Noem brought in the FEMA official involved, Kara Voorhies, to take a position at the department through a contracted position.
The IG is investigating her part in FEMA’s contracting operations. One source reports that the expense of her contract also meets with the IG’s analysis.
According to ABC News’ sources, Voorhies could not be reached during the initial stages of the Texas floods during the July 4 holiday of the previous year. Due to the critical nature of the floods, senior management proceeded without her authorization.
A court document filed last week mentioned that she no longer serves as a contractor or staff member with FEMA, and conceded that the OIG was holding her devices as part of its investigation. The legal case connects to the FEMA contracting procedure.
Contact data for Voorhies was not immediately available.
Prior to President Donald Trump’s termination of Noem as DHS secretary, Joseph Cuffari, the DHS IG, repeatedly cautioned Congress that the former secretary was hindering his investigations into various affairs, thereby suspending the implementation of reports.
Lewandowski was identified by sources as "the chief" within the department and enjoyed significant influence in departmental decision-making. As per a department agent, he is no longer employed by DHS.
Sources indicate the inspector general is probing how Lewandowski, along with Noem, controlled and awarded pacts while at DHS.
Through a spokesperson relating to other outlets, he dismissed any improper action. ABC News has contacted Lewandowski’s attorney to secure a remark.
Cuffari issued a warning last July that the policy change eliminating the necessity for airline passengers to remove their footwear as part of Transportation Security Administration screening operations created a "notable" security threat. Despite the secretary’s statements to Congress of their implementation, the suggestions stemming from that report remain unimplemented.
In a letter dated March 4, Cuffari wrote to Ha Nguyen McNeil, the acting TSA administrator, asserting, "I am communicating to notify you that OIG has not received this data, whether documented or verbal, from DHS or TSA, despite our requests to the Secretary and you for that data. Upon receipt of this information, OIG will consider whether TSA’s steps appropriately tackle the conclusions and recommendations and assess any data offered to ascertain if each recommendation’s status ought to be labeled ‘open and unresolved,’ ‘open and resolved,’ or ‘closed’."
John Sandweg, previously acting general counsel at DHS, noted the IG investigation seems to be extensive.
He stated to ABC News, "The IG review’s area will be thorough, searching for any faults in contract awardings, encompassing whether violations were committed. Upon finishing the review, the IG would typically document the conclusions in a public report, specifying infractions of regulation or policy or epitomizing the ways the contract acceptance process obstructed DHS operations."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com