Lewandowski Pitched Side Deals to 2 Gulf States While Overseeing Billions at DHS
Updated
Updated · The New Republic · Sep 8
Lewandowski Pitched Side Deals to 2 Gulf States While Overseeing Billions at DHS
3 articles · Updated · The New Republic · Sep 8
Summary
Qatar and the UAE were approached by Corey Lewandowski with a proposal to hire him privately to help handle DHS-related matters, including visas, while he held influence inside the department.
The Wall Street Journal said the outreach appeared aimed at personal financial gain from government access; officials from both countries found it unusual and declined because they already had other Trump administration channels.
Billions of dollars in federal contracts fell within Lewandowski’s DHS portfolio, and his special government employee role also touched tariff collection, border security and immigration enforcement.
Lewandowski denied wrongdoing, with a representative saying he never sought contracts with foreign governments or demanded payment from contractors.
The allegations add to earlier accusations that he pursued kickbacks and self-enrichment at DHS, increasing scrutiny of his role under then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
What hidden employment loopholes allow government insiders to pitch private side deals to foreign officials while overseeing massive taxpayer-funded tech agreements?
Could the ongoing criminal probe into these national security contracts force a total renegotiation of multi-billion dollar federal data and infrastructure deals?