Corey Lewandowski tried to cut side deals with foreign governments during his stint as a top aide to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to a new report.
Lewandowski, a special government employee, also wielded broad influence over lucrative federal contracts and helped place allies across the Department of Homeland Security, including one who was paid as much as $19,000 a week, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The former campaign manager for Donald Trump essentially acted as a “shadow secretary” during Noem's tenure, traveling with her, sitting in on most department meetings and exercising substantial leverage over how vast department funds were allocated, the report says.
Lewandowski left DHS in March after Noem was fired amid backlash over her leadership. He now works as a consultant; among his clients is Bahrain. A DHS inspector general investigation is looking into claims that Lewandowski might have had a hand in improperly doling out government contracts. He has denied any wrongdoing.
“This latest Wall Street Journal story, a once great publication, is today just another example of the kind of anonymous-source, politically driven reporting that Americans have seen time and again,” Lewandowski wrote in a Tuesday X post, which he directed The Independent to when contacted for comment.
“We've lived through the Russia collusion hoax the fake Birthday card and countless other sensational allegations that ultimately failed to withstand scrutiny,” he continued. “I'm tremendously proud of my work as a volunteer in advancing this administration's agenda and remain confident that the facts and not anonymous accusations will ultimately speak for themselves.”
In another post he wrote: “On the week of the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 you would think the WSJ would be more interested in how our homeland has become secure as opposed to the innuendo fake news story they published today. What’s more amazing is after 5 months of working on a story, they don’t have ONE on the record source - Because the whole story is fiction.”
When reached by the Journal, a spokesperson for Lewandowski also denied that he sought contracts with foreign governments, played any part in approving or reviewing DHS contracts or had been contacted about the inspector general’s investigation. “Lewandowski denies any wrongdoing,” the representative added.
According to the report, Lewandowski made an overture to high-ranking officials in Qatar about retaining him for outside work. People familiar with the supposed outreach told the newspaper that Lewandowski said he could assist Qatar with matters within DHS’s remit, including visas.
Lewandowski allegedly made a similar approach to representatives of the United Arab Emirates.
Officials from both countries rebuffed the alleged proposals, according to people familiar with the matter, and some were reportedly confused about why they would need his services given their existing relationships with senior U.S. officials.
The alleged pitches came while Lewandowski held a sweeping portfolio at DHS.
Noem’s decision to consolidate major spending authority under her office — with all spending over $100,000 requiring her sign-off — was widely viewed within the administration as giving Lewandowski substantial sway over which companies received DHS business.
One reported episode involved Palantir, a software firm that had negotiated a proposed $2.7 billion blanket purchase agreement with DHS in the fall of 2025. The deal, covering Secret Service and immigration work, remained unsigned for weeks, perplexing company officials, the Journal reported.
Lewandowski then sought a one-on-one meeting with Palantir CEO Alex Karp, according to people familiar with the matter. Palantir executives, who were not informed of the meeting’s agenda, canceled the sit-down because they were uncomfortable with the circumstances and the large contract pending before DHS.
After the meeting was nixed and the deal was never inked, Lewandowski reportedly indicated that Palantir’s department-wide work would be scaled back. In February, DHS signed a revised $1 billion agreement with Palantir, with the company telling the Journal it was not given an explanation for the reduction.
The Journal further reported that Lewandowski installed allies in positions across DHS. One such ally, Kara Voorhies, reportedly earned as much as $19,000 a week as a FEMA contractor in an “unusually senior role.” DHS investigators searched her office earlier this year.
Now, DHS investigators are reportedly considering a criminal referral to the Department of Justice. House Democrats are also gearing up for a similar investigation.
If Lewandowski were to be prosecuted, he has told people that he believes Trump would offer him a pardon, according to the Journal. Trump has reportedly promised pardons for “everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval” before leaving office.
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