By Trendsetter Tribune 
Following the high-profile dismissal of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, House Oversight and Homeland Security Democrats released a detailed report on Monday, March 23, 2026, outlining the spending behind the controversial $220 million “self-deportation” advertising campaign.
The report, spearheaded by Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Robert Garcia (D-CA), alleges that the agency bypassed standard federal procurement laws to “line the pockets” of political allies under the guise of a national emergency.
The “Mysterious” Delaware LLC
The crux of the Democratic report focuses on how the vast majority of the funds were distributed. While DHS originally cited a “national emergency” at the border to skip competitive bidding, the audit reveals a complex web of subcontracts:
- Safe America Media: This Delaware-based LLC, created just days before the contract was finalized, received $143 million. The report identifies this entity as a “shell” used to funnel money to preferred Republican firms.
- The Strategy Group: Democrats allege that Safe America Media subcontracted the bulk of the creative work—including the famous “Mount Rushmore” ad—to The Strategy Group, an Ohio-based firm with deep ties to Noem and her senior adviser, Corey Lewandowski.
- The Spousal Connection: The report highlights that Tricia McLaughlin, the former DHS head of public affairs, is married to the CEO of The Strategy Group, Ben Yoho. Democrats argue this represents a textbook case of “blatant self-dealing.”
Perjury Allegations and the “Trump Denial”
The release of these spending details follows Noem’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3, where she claimed the President had personally authorized the $220 million expenditure.
- The Presidential Split: President Trump flatly denied Noem’s claim in a subsequent interview, stating he “never knew anything about it.” This public contradiction was reportedly the “straw that broke the camel’s back” leading to her firing on March 5.
- Blumenthal’s Investigation: Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has now used the spending details to launch a formal perjury investigation, alleging that Noem lied under oath regarding Lewandowski’s role in approving the contracts.
- The Lewandowski Signature: Internal DHS records cited in the report allegedly show that Lewandowski—acting as a Special Government Employee—personally signed off on payments above $100,000, despite Noem’s sworn testimony that he had no role in contracting.
Breakdown of the $220M Ad Spend
| Recipient | Amount | Primary Role |
| Safe America Media | $143 Million | Lead contractor (Delaware-based LLC). |
| People Who Think | $77 Million | Louisiana-based Republican ad firm. |
| The Strategy Group | (Subcontract) | Creative production (Mount Rushmore, “Chaps” ads). |
| American Made Media | $250,000 | Public affairs contract linked to Lewandowski. |
“Rot at the Agency”
The report concludes that the ad campaign was less about border security and more about increasing Noem’s “name recognition” at the taxpayer’s expense. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) remarked during a hearing that the findings represent “fraud with no accountability,” noting that while DHS was “stealing money” for ads, thousands of federal employees were going unpaid due to the ongoing funding shutdown.