I want to make sure you saw this, John:

ProPublica: “Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts.”

A ProPublica report shows that a firm with deep ties to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem received funding from a $220 million taxpayer-funded DHS ad campaign.

DHS reportedly bypassed the standard contracting process when it secretly awarded this ad contract to the consulting firm, Strategy Group.

Strategy Group has long worked with Noem, and its CEO is married to DHS’s top spokesperson. Yet somehow it still benefited from this massive taxpayer-funded campaign and doesn’t appear in public documents about the contract.

The public deserves answers on how the firm—with connections to the DHS secretary—ended up receiving taxpayer money as part of the ad campaign. That’s why CREW is calling on the DHS inspector general to open an investigation.

We need to keep the pressure on until there’s complete transparency, accountability and answers. Help us hold government officials accountable and expose conflicts of interest. Chip in what you can to help us continue our work →

According to ProPublica, the agency invoked the “national emergency” at the border as it awarded contracts for the campaign, which helps prevent waste and corruption.

The firm’s involvement was kept secret, and the primary recipient listed on public documents about the contracts is a Delaware company, which was created days before the deal was finalized.

If the DHS had nothing to hide about this $220 million ad campaign, why keep the consulting firm's name out of the public documents about it?

The Strategy Group has a history of working with Noem and her allies at DHS. The company worked with Noem during her 2022 campaign for governor of South Dakota. The firm also did a state-funded ad campaign during her time as governor. The company has worked with Noem’s top adviser at DHS, Corey Lewandowski. And its CEO is married to Tricia McLaughlin, DHS’s chief spokesperson.

The ties between the Strategy Group and top officials at DHS raise ethics concerns—and the public deserves answers.

CREW called on the Department of Homeland Security inspector general to investigate how the firm received taxpayer money as part of the ad campaign. We’re not afraid to hold those in power accountable and ensure the American public gets the answers they deserve.

Our fight for a transparent and accountable government is only possible with the support of people like you, so if you’re with us, please donate today to help us keep up this important work →

Thank you,