The White House has indicated it will not intervene in a looming criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski, a former Homeland Security official and close associate of Kristi Noem, according to two senior Trump officials. The investigation, led by the Homeland Security inspector general, is reportedly examining Lewandowski's handling of billions of dollars in no-bid contracts and allegations of attempting to divert taxpayer funds for personal gain.
Sources close to the White House told the Daily Mail that if investigators refer the case to the Justice Department for prosecution, the administration will not step in to protect Lewandowski. "The White House isn't going to stand in the way," one official stated. "Corey's fate will be decided by Corey's actions." Another source added, "Corey has made his bed, and now he has to lie in it."
The inspector general's office launched a wide-ranging criminal investigation in March, requesting that current and former employees preserve all relevant communications. An administration source confirmed that investigators briefed new DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on the IG investigation over the summer, who then shared the information with senior White House officials. The investigation remains ongoing.
Lewandowski, who served as Noem's de facto chief of staff at Homeland Security before both were ousted in March, has reportedly told associates he expects a presidential pardon if charges are filed. However, his attorney has denied this, stating to the Wall Street Journal that Lewandowski would not seek or require a pardon.
Recent reports have detailed further allegations against Lewandowski. The Journal reported that he allegedly approached senior Qatari and United Arab Emirates officials while at Homeland Security, offering assistance with matters under the department's control, including visas, in exchange for potential employment. Both Gulf state leaders reportedly declined his offers.
Further scrutiny has fallen on a $2.7 billion Palantir contract, which Lewandowski reportedly held for weeks while demanding a meeting with the company's CEO. The deal was later reduced to $1 billion without explanation after Palantir reportedly refused the meeting. Additionally, Lewandowski is accused of months-long obstruction of deals with private prison company GEO Group, which had previously declined to hire him as a lobbyist in 2017.
A representative for Lewandowski told the Journal that he never sought contracts with foreign governments, demanded payment from any contractor, or played a role in approving DHS deals. The Daily Mail also reported that Lewandowski had demanded that Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, expedite visas for certain individuals, but Edlow reportedly pushed back on these demands.
Following his departure from the administration in March, Lewandowski has established himself as a consultant. Bahrain has since signed him as a client, according to a Bahraini official who spoke to the Wall Street Journal.
Kristi Noem, who was moved to a special envoy post at the State Department after her ouster, brought several Homeland Security aides with her. However, the White House later placed four of them on leave. Lewandowski had also been a special government employee and accompanied Noem on her initial trip in her new role, but he has since been removed from the administration.