US DoJ probing DHS contracting kickbacks involving Trump ally Corey Lewandowski; President says 'dishonest officials should be prosecuted'

US Department of Justice prosecutors are examining allegations of possible kickbacks linked to contracting at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with investigators awaiting findings from an internal watchdog probe, according to people familiar with the matter.The investigation involves Corey Lewandowski, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump who served as a senior adviser to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.The referral comes amid questions about the Trump administration's handling of allegations involving its own officials. Critics have accused the Justice Department of pursuing the president's political opponents while failing to subject administration allies to similar scrutiny.According to a source familiar with the investigation cited by the outlet, Washington, DC, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro had told officials in her office in recent months that she wanted investigators to examine claims of kickbacks connected to DHS contracts. It remains unclear which US Attorney's office is leading the investigation.Prosecutors have been waiting for the results of an inquiry by the DHS inspector general, another person familiar with the matter said.Lewandowski became a prominent figure at DHS during Trump's second term, serving as Noem's chief adviser. He was initially appointed as a special government employee, a designation intended for people serving the government for a limited number of days.His involvement in senior department functions while holding that status was unusual. Officials came to view him as a key gatekeeper for Noem, who left the department after Trump dismissed her.Noem's management of DHS contracts was among the issues that contributed to her departure earlier this year. One point of controversy involved a $220 million advertising campaign that prominently featured Noem. She said Trump knew about the campaign.During her tenure, Noem also required contracts and grants worth more than $100,000 to receive her approval. She defended the policy as a way to reduce waste, although several DHS officials considered the requirement unnecessary.The department's inspector general, Joseph Cuffari, told Congress in early March that senior DHS officials had obstructed some of his work.Trump addressed the investigation into Lewandowski on Thursday, telling reporters he had only recently learned about it. He said he wanted any officials found to be dishonest to face prosecution.“They’re stealing from me, so I want my people to be honest,” Trump said. “And if they’re not honest, I’ll have my DOJ go and do whatever they have to do.”You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.