Lewandowski Reportedly Pitched Foreign Deals While at DHS

Throughout Corey Lewandowski's controversial tenure at the Department of Homeland Security, reports persisted about the Republican operative's outsized role at the agency, particularly around his personal (and potentially illegal) handling of sizable federal contracts. But a new report from the Wall Street Journal reveals Lewandowski used his position to make direct overtures to foreign nations for his own potential financial gain, allegations that the former Trump official is publicly denying. The Journal reports that Lewandowski pitched his personal services to top officials in both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, suggesting that the nations hire him on the side to directly provide assistance with any issues that fell under DHS jurisdiction like visas. Lewandowski's proposal came as he served as an unpaid special governmental employee, working as a top advisor to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem whom he was rumored to be romantically involved with. Sources familiar tell the Journal that the Qatari and Emirati officials ultimately declined Lewandowski's pitch and were reportedly perplexed by the offer as they already had preexisting relationships with other members of the Trump administration. Lewandowski, who left his position in March, denounced the Journal's reporting in a statement shared to social media, describing the article as 'just another example of the kind of anonymous-source, politically driven reporting that Americans have seen time and again.' 'I'm tremendously proud of my work as a volunteer in advancing this administration's agenda and remain confident that the facts and not anonymous accusations will ultimately speak for themselves,' he wrote. In a subsequent post, Lewandowski suggested the article was made up. 'What's more amazing is after 5 months of working on a story, they don't have ONE on the record source - Because the whole story is fiction,' he wrote. But the Monday report is far from the first to allege that Lewandowski used his government position for his personal benefit. NBC News examined the DHS advisor's role in the agency's contracting process, reporting that Lewandowski sought compensation from private prison company GEO Group in exchange for his help facilitating the renewal and potential growth of its contracts with the government. The company's CEO ultimately declined with GEO Group officials believing the subsequent shrinking of their federal contracts likely stemmed from turning Lewandowski down. NBC also reported that several companies—including GEO Group—raised their concerns directly to the White House, telling top officials that Lewandowski was likely profiting from government contracts. At the time of their reporting, a spokesperson for Lewandowski denied that he ever requested money from GEO Group. An ongoing investigation — led by the DHS inspector general — into how contracts were handled during Noem's time leading the department reportedly has unearthed evidence indicating that Lewandowski was likely heavily involved in the improper rewarding of contracts, per a July report from the Journal. Investigators are said to be weighing a potential referral to the Justice Department. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have opened numerous inquiries into Lewandowski's DHS tenure, seeking information on the allegations raised by NBC News's report as well as the release of his financial disclosures. On Tuesday, the panel's members seemed to indicate that further investigations into Lewandowski's behavior were coming, a threat that looms large as the party seeks to retake control of the House following the upcoming midterms. 'Shaking down businesses for money is naked corruption. We will hold Corey Lewandowski accountable,' a post on the group's official X account read.