WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said he did not approve a $220 million Department of Homeland Security advertising campaign promoting border enforcement that prominently features Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, even as the contract has drawn bipartisan scrutiny in Congress.
In an interview reported by Reuters, Trump said, “I never knew anything about it,” referring to the national television campaign designed to highlight the administration’s immigration crackdown. The statement came as lawmakers from both parties questioned the contract during hearings this week.
Noem faced pointed questions before House and Senate committees about the procurement process used to award the contract. Critics noted the advertising deal was offered to only four companies rather than through a broader competitive bidding process typically used for federal contracts.
During testimony, Noem defended the process, saying the contract was awarded through a “competitive process” and that it was “all done correctly, all done legally.” The Department of Homeland Security also argued that limited competition was justified because of what it described as an urgent immigration threat.
Federal records show the contract was awarded to two firms with ties to long-time Republican operatives. One company, Safe America Media, received $143 million shortly after being incorporated, while Louisiana-based firm People Who Think received $77 million.
Lawmakers also questioned the involvement of subcontractors, including a political consulting firm paid roughly $226,000 as part of the campaign.
Sources
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