Corey Lewandowski, a longtime adviser to US President Donald Trump and former top aide at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is under criminal investigation over allegations that he profited from his government role, following a referral by the department's internal watchdog to the Justice Department, according to people familiar with the matter.
Trump said he was aware of reports about the investigation but did not know its specifics, adding that he wanted his administration officials to act honestly.
"I don't know exactly what it is," Trump told reporters. "All I know is, I want my people to be honest. And if they're not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted."
He added, "I'll have my DOJ go and do whatever they have to do."
Investigation examines government contracts
The DHS Inspector General's Office has been investigating Lewandowski's involvement in the handling of certain government contracts, according to a DHS official and other people familiar with the matter. The investigation began after the inspector general referred allegations to the Justice Department.
Lewandowski had signed some DHS contracts despite questions over whether he had the legal authority to do so as a special government employee, according to a DHS official. Certain grants and contracts, including those involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were also put on hold at his direction, according to two DHS officials.
The Justice Department had not issued subpoenas or other legal demands as of Thursday, according to one person familiar with the investigation.
The details of the allegations against Lewandowski remain unclear. The Washington Sun reported this week that some open records requests to the department concerning his tenure were denied because of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Lewandowski's lawyer denies wrongdoing
Lewandowski's attorney, Adam Trigg, said his client had not been contacted by the Justice Department about the investigation and denied any wrongdoing.
"Mr. Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department regarding any investigation, and he denies any wrongdoing when he was proudly serving his country in a voluntary capacity."
The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation, citing Lewandowski's lawyer as saying that his client denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Investigation marks unusual focus on Trump ally
An investigation into a longtime Trump adviser would mark a departure for the Justice Department, which has devoted considerable efforts to investigating and attempting to prosecute prominent critics of the president, including former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
At the same time, the department has moved to dismiss several existing cases involving Trump allies, including supporters charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Asked about media reports of the investigation, Trump did not defend Lewandowski but said he expected honesty from people in his administration.
"I want my people to be honest."
"And if they're not honest, I'll have my DOJ go and do whatever they have to do," Trump added.
Lewandowski's role at Homeland Security
Lewandowski served as a leading adviser to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her tenure at the department. His position as a special government employee was supposed to limit the number of days he could work, although he appeared to play an outsized role at the agency.
Trump fired Noem in March following months of controversy, including the fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal officers in Minneapolis and lawmakers' questions over a $220 million advertising contract promoting Noem that was awarded without a standard bidding process.
Lewandowski managed Trump's first presidential campaign in 2016 and advised his 2024 campaign. His tenure at the Department of Homeland Security placed him in a senior advisory role during Noem's leadership.