Kristi Noem, the former Secretary of Homeland Security, has been referred to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation concerning potential perjury related to her testimony about a $220 million ad campaign. This campaign allegedly featured her riding a horse and was reportedly approved by President Donald Trump.
The referral comes from leading congressional Democrats, who claim Noem knowingly made false statements under oath during her testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Just days after her assertion that Trump had signed off on the campaign, he publicly denied having approved the ads.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the referral from Democrats appears to be weak; however, the questions surrounding the $220 million ad contracts could present significant challenges.
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin detailed the referral in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, expressing skepticism that the Department of Justice would act due to perceived political bias.
“We highlight that the statute of limitations for false statements to Congress is five years,” they noted in their correspondence.
Noem’s testimony ignited controversy, especially when she was questioned about whether the campaign served more to promote herself than to support the administration’s goals. GOP Senator John Kennedy grilled her on the appropriateness of a cabinet secretary endorsing a multi-million dollar campaign funded by taxpayers.
“Did the president really approve your spending $220 million on ads featuring yourself?” Kennedy pressed, signaling concerns about placing Trump in a difficult position.
Noem affirmed that Trump had given his personal approval, but Kennedy expressed disbelief, implying it was unlikely the president would sanction such a massive expenditure without his direct involvement.
Following this hearing, Noem became the first cabinet member terminated in Trump’s second term, with her departure from Homeland Security set for March 31 alongside rumored romantic partner Corey Lewandowski.
The referral raises questions about the $220 million contract itself, awarded to a consulting firm connected to the husband of Noem’s former spokeswoman, sparking allegations of potential conflicts of interest.
Markwayne Mullin, a conservative senator from Oklahoma, will take over Noem’s position. Her dismissal occurs amid ongoing funding disputes that have left much of DHS inoperable due to Democratic standoffs.
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