What’s Going On with DHS?

What’s Going On with DHS?

Recently, I’ve been hesitant to dive into controversial political topics, but the situation at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) deserves some attention. While TSA employees are working without adequate pay, a significant corruption scandal at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is gradually coming to light, revealing a disturbing shift in the department's priorities.

$220 Million Advertising Campaign

Recently, DHS awarded over $220 million in no-bid contracts for a politically charged advertising campaign that involves former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. What’s even more alarming is that a portion of this contract was given to the husband of DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.

On February 13, 2025, DHS handed out two no-bid contracts for the campaign titled “Secure Borders, Strong America.” Safe America Media received a whopping $143 million contract, while another company, People Who Think, was awarded $77 million, all on the same day and for the same campaign.

Issues Right from the Start

The first red flag is that Safe America Media was only established a mere 7 days before landing the $143 million contract. They lack a website, and their ownership details are murky at best. This should have triggered an immediate investigation by the relevant authorities.

Key Players Behind the Campaign

Public Citizen uncovered FCC funding documents that mention “Traci McLaughlin, Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs,” a DHS official linked to the campaign's funding. Contract records also indicate that McLaughlin's office funded this advertising campaign.

In November 2025, ProPublica reported that The Strategy Group, run by McLaughlin’s husband Ben Yoho, was involved in at least one DHS advertisement, including a spot at Mount Rushmore featuring Noem on horseback.

Senate Oversight Hearing

During a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on March 5, 2026, Senator Thom Tillis highlighted these connections. Noem acknowledged that Yoho had run ads for her campaign and was present at her inauguration.

Tillis noted that Yoho’s company became a subcontractor just 11 days after Safe America was established.

DHS’s Response

DHS and its supporters continue to assert that nothing illegal or unethical occurred and that McLaughlin was not involved in selecting subcontractors. However, this does little to dispel the concerns surrounding the timing and process of these contracts.

Management Failures

DHS utilized no-bid contracts citing a “national emergency” for a massive advertising campaign, with a brand-new primary contractor established right beforehand. To add to the controversy, a subcontractor happens to be the husband of the department's leading spokesperson.

Pressure from the Senate

Senators have demanded documents from the involved companies and are particularly interested in communications with Noem, Corey Lewandowski, and McLaughlin, as both sides have raised suspicions about conflicts of interest. Impeachment articles against Noem have criticized these conflicts.

Concerning Reality

While TSA employees are left waiting for paychecks for weeks due to DHS shutdowns, this scandal continues to unfold. President Trump had to issue an order just to ensure airport staff were paid again.

Filming for this campaign began during a complete government shutdown in October 2025. This situation paints a disheartening picture: frontline workers anxiously awaiting their pay, while politically connected consultants and contractors enjoy a multi-million dollar advertising contract.