Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced pointed questioning from lawmakers over a $143 million federal contract awarded to a company created just days earlier, a deal that has intensified scrutiny of the department's advertising campaign promoting the Trump administration's immigration policies.
The contract became a flashpoint during questioning by members of the House Oversight Committee, where Representative Joe Neguse, a Colorado Democrat, pressed Noem about how the company Safe America Media was selected to receive a large share of a government communications contract.
Neguse noted that out of "hundreds of thousands of companies in the United States," only four were chosen to participate in the campaign. One of them, Safe America Media, had been incorporated just eight days before the award, according to congressional questioning.
The exchange turned tense when Neguse asked a basic question about the contractor's operations.
"Where is Safe America Media headquartered?" Neguse asked.
Noem responded that she did not know, repeating that answer when asked additional questions about the firm's background, experience or business operations.
Neguse argued that the lack of publicly available information about the contractor raised serious concerns about the procurement process. As he outlined the company's limited record and political connections, he challenged the former secretary directly.
"You want the American people to believe that this is all above board?" Neguse said.
The contract was part of a larger $220 million Department of Homeland Security advertising campaign designed to communicate border enforcement and immigration policies. The spending plan allocated the majority of funds to Safe America Media, with additional money directed to other firms involved in the campaign.
According to reports cited in congressional discussions:
- $143 million went to Safe America Media
- Roughly $77 million was awarded to other firms, including People Who Think
Federal agencies typically award contracts through competitive bidding processes intended to ensure transparency and fair pricing. DHS officials said the department invoked an emergency exemption, allowing the campaign to proceed without the usual competitive procedures because of what the agency described as an urgent need to launch the messaging effort.
Lawmakers from both parties said the unusual timeline surrounding the contractor's creation raised questions about whether proper vetting occurred before the funds were awarded.
The controversy surrounding the advertising contract emerged as Noem's tenure at DHS was already under pressure from congressional critics. Disputes over immigration enforcement policies, spending decisions and her testimony about the campaign's authorization had intensified scrutiny in Washington.
President Donald Trump later said he had not approved the advertising campaign, contradicting Noem's testimony that he had supported the initiative.
Trump subsequently nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, to replace Noem as Homeland Security secretary. The department now faces continued oversight from Congress as lawmakers seek additional records explaining how the contract was awarded and whether procurement rules were properly followed.
