US Justice Department investigating Corey Lewandowski over DHS role

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether Corey Lewandowski, who was a top aide to former Department ⁠of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, personally profited from his role, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.

Lewandowski worked closely with Noem as a special government employee until March, when the two were both ousted after a series of controversies, including the fatal shootings of US citizens by immigration officers.

The probe is related to contracts the agency signed under Noem's leadership, a source told CBS.

The BBC has contacted Lewandowski's attorney, who told CBS his client denies any wrongdoing.

"Mr Lewandowski has not been contacted by the justice department regarding any investigation," his attorney, Adam Trigg, said.

Asked about the investigation on Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters he had heard about it but did not know the details, adding, "I want my people to be honest".

"And if they're not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted," he said.

Lewandowski served as a campaign manager to Trump during his first presidential run in 2016 and helped advise his 2024 campaign.

DHS officials told Reuters that Lewandowski had approved some DHS contracts despite not having the legal authority to do so as a special government employee.

He also allegedly put certain grants and contracts on hold, including some involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the officials told Reuters.

Special government employees serve as temporary advisers to federal agencies and are given strict limits on how much they can work and what they can do.

The justice department took on the investigation after receiving a referral from the DHS inspector general's office, which is made up of lawyers charged with monitoring the agency's conduct and operations.

At DHS, Lewandowski served as Noem's de facto chief of staff.

Noem also faced a contract controversy. Shortly before she left office, lawmakers pressed her about the process she had used to award a $220m (£164m) advertising contract to two companies with ties to her and people in her inner circle.

The Wall Street Journal has reported , external that Lewandowski also allegedly tried to use his role at DHS for financial gain by asking Middle Eastern countries to hire him on the side to help with visa and other DHS issues.