Another problem lands in Kristi Noem’s lap

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is dealing with a new round of scrutiny over how her department handled contracts, just as reports about her husband have turned an already messy situation into something even more embarrassing for the administration.

According to NOTUS, Noem is now facing accusations that she steered Department of Homeland Security contracts worth millions to five companies that are all owned by a single Republican donor.

The new inquiry comes after photographs surfaced showing her husband, Bryon Noem, wearing pink spandex with balloons attached to his chest to mimic breasts and messaging women online. The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Bryon Noem had a “bimbofication” fetish and was looking for a woman with a “Barbie Doll”-style appearance online. The report also said he sent $25,000 to people he connected with online.

Blackmail concerns, at least in theory

Experts quoted by The Mail said the situation could create serious security risks, including the possibility of blackmail.

“It's astounding that somebody whose spouse is at that level has that kind of bad judgment,” U.S. counterintelligence expert Jack Barsky told The Mail.

Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos said, “If a media organization can find this out, you can assume with a high degree of confidence that a hostile intelligence service knows this as well.”

He added that this is exactly the sort of information espionage services use to pressure people into helping them.

There is no indication that any blackmail actually took place at DHS. Still, Noem’s departure from the department already had plenty of baggage attached. She was reportedly removed from her Cabinet role in early March over her handling of the ICE protests in Minneapolis, the taxpayer-funded photo shoots that followed her around, and rumors that she had an affair with DHS staffer Cory Lewandowski. Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied being romantically involved.

Even after leaving the department, Noem remains in the administration in a new role as special envoy to The Shield of the Americas.

House Oversight turns to the contracts

The latest formal challenge is coming from Rep. Robert Garcia of the House Oversight Committee, who is examining how five companies run by GOP donor and former State Department employee William Walters won lucrative contracts tied to Noem’s mass deportation agenda.

That push was outlined in a letter Garcia sent to Walters, which NOTUS obtained. The letter focuses heavily on Walters’ firm, Salus Worldwide Solutions.

Garcia is asking how Walters’ companies, which had never handled immigration contracts before, managed to secure multiple government deals, including one reportedly worth nearly $1 billion.

One of those contracts covered private jet use, which DHS said was needed for border enforcement.

Walters denied any improper relationship with Lewandowski in an email to The Independent.

“Neither I nor any member of my company has, now or in the past, a relationship with Mr. Lewindowski [sic.]” Walters said.

He added: “No member of Salus has ever sought or accepted preferential treatment from a federal Department or Agency official in the award of a contract, nor solicited anything of value for anyone from anyone. There is no truth to any of this. We’re proud of our conduct and the services we provide and plan on telling Congress exactly what we do and how we do it. Let’s see if others are willing to do the same.”

Walters has until April 16 to turn over records of his work with the administration to the Oversight Committee.