Taxpayer millions went to a company that subcontracted with another firm operated by her spokesperson’s husband, records show

Kristi Noem’s $220 million ad spending blitz came under intense scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans across two days of congressional hearings this week, with the secretary unable to explain how a company connected to her own spokesperson landed a lucrative taxpayer-funded project.

Last year, DHS hired a little-known firm to help produce a campaign that prominently featured Noem herself, including one ad filmed during the government shutdown with the secretary on horseback in front of Mount Rushmore. “Break our laws, we’ll punish you,” Noem says in the ad.

Most of that money — $143 million — went to a company that was created just 11 days before it was awarded the contract. On Thursday, after lawmakers grilled her for answers, Donald Trump said he did not sign off on the campaign.

In her testimony to the House Judiciary Committee, Noem said she doesn’t know where the contractor is based, if the company has even done work for the government before DHS hired it, or how the company ended up subcontracting a firm with direct ties to Noem’s office.

  • Sprocketfree@sh.itjust.works
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    3 hours ago

    Ahh this explains Minnesota. That fraud they were claiming was actually with ICE the whole time. I’m shocked, shocked I tells ya!

  • watson@sopuli.xyz
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    4 hours ago

    “Battered”. I’m tired of these words being used this way. It just gets my hopes up only to be let down that they didn’t mean it literally…

  • kittykillinit@lemy.lol
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    3 hours ago

    Just curious, are we blaming the families with $100m net worth for the damage they’re causing, or are we still stuck on billionaires?

  • IchNichtenLichten@lemmy.wtf
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    9 hours ago

    Considering the amount of publicity conservatives managed to generate around the story of fraud in Minnesota, this should be a like Christmas for the Democrats. It won’t be, but it should be.

    • GalacticSushi@piefed.blahaj.zone
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      3 hours ago

      Well the DNC certainly wouldn’t want to look rude by politically capitalizing on this, so instead they’ll let us know they’re “deeply concerned” and carry on with their day.

    • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

      Honestly, they should propose sending ICE to raid and kidnap and terrorize…at Noem’s house(s).

      I mean, that was their “logic” on sending in ICE to terrorize an entire city, after all.

    • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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      12 hours ago

      Earlier last year, I watched all those assholes constantly repeat that phrase last year, especially Karoline Leavitt, that dweeb Mikey Johnson and that guy that looks like a squirrel with a shit-eating grin perma-planted on its face - Kevin Hassett - “waste, fraud and abuse”, followed by an even bigger smile.

      And it was quite obvious back then that they were quite full of shit and gleefully gaslighting the shit out of the reality-based community and loving every minute of their little games. Probably the most predictable thing ever.

  • Devolution@lemmy.world
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    13 hours ago

    I’m sorry but I have to give beastiality barbie props for being able to con Don. Granted it’s my money but still…

    😆

  • DandomRude@piefed.social
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    13 hours ago

    Is there anywhere you can bet that this obvious embezzlement of state funds will also remain completely without consequences?

    Polymarket is out of the question, as Trump Jr. has a stake in the company.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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    13 hours ago

    “My marriage is one thing and work is another. I don’t combine them.”

    Which is why I put a bed in my work plane to bang my coworkers…