Kickbacks at DHS: The Allegations Against Corey Lewandowski, and President Trump's Own Private Suspicions

Editor's note: Corey Lewandowski, a longtime Trump ally who served as a special government employee and de facto chief of staff to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, faces allegations that he "demanded kickbacks from contractors seeking DHS business", including GEO Group and firms tied to a $220 million ad campaign. The claims are backed by NBC and Wall Street Journal reporting citing multiple senior White House and DHS officials, and DHS's own Inspector General has opened an investigation into whether contracts were improperly awarded. House Democrats are also pushing for subpoenas, a fact critics note carries clear midterm messaging value. Lewandowski and Noem deny any wrongdoing and call the claims politically motivated. No charges have been filed, but the volume of independent sourcing, including from inside the administration itself, makes this more than another typical partisan move just before the midterms. President Trump reportedly told advisers that "Corey made out on that one," referring to the $220 million DHS ad campaign, suggesting even he has privately questioned whether Lewandowski profited from the deal.

Here are a few more critical and damning views of Corey Lewandowski:

'Hire me on the side' & now we know Corey Lewandowski who was DHS sex beds hair extensions taken 220 $ million tax money to pose & make videos 'Noem' lover, he was a bagman kickback man at DHS

Federal probe zeroes in on 'shadow secretary' who rattled Trump White House