Ranking Member Robert Garcia Demands Answers from Dept. of Homeland Security on Corey Lewandowski’s Employment and Potential Violation of Special Government Employee Status

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers on Corey Lewandowski’s employment at DHS as a Special Government Employee (SGE). The letter demands a complete accounting of his service days (including records and logs), assessment on whether he has exceeded his 130 day limit as an SGE, all documents and communications regarding his role in personnel decisions (firing/hiring) and grant approvals in FEMA operations, and all documents and direct communications between Lewandowski and any lobbying firm, lobbyist, or government contracting consultant.

“There is a reason our government has specific rules to ensure Special Government Employees don’t cross boundaries or take advantage of their status. That’s why it is very concerning that Corey Lewandowski may be trying to exploit loopholes to continue illegally serving in the Department of Homeland Security, where he is making vital personnel, grant, and operational decisions,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia. “Not only does Lewandowski’s situation raise severe ethical concerns, but it also undermines public trust and accountability. We will get to the bottom of what is going on and ensure that anyone violating the law is held accountable.”

The letter outlines the grave implications if it is found that Corey Lewandowski is ignoring SGE rules and regulations. 

“It is deeply concerning that DHS may be allowing a temporary appointee to function as a senior executive without proper appointment, ethics restrictions, transparency or oversight. Multiple officials have expressed concern that his influence over personnel and funding decisions is both far-reaching and unchecked, with one noting that staff fear crossing him because of his perceived authority to fire them. Such a concentration of power in a temporary role undermines the statutory purpose of the SGE designation and raises the risk of conflicts of interest. Federal ethics rules governing SGEs are intended to prevent exactly this type of overreach.  The 130-day limit exists to preserve the temporary, advisory nature of such appointments and to ensure that individuals with significant operational authority are properly appointed, vetted, and subject to full ethics requirements. Allowing an SGE to exceed these limits or to direct the day-to-day operations of DHS erodes transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the Department’s leadership,” wrote Ranking Member Garcia.

Click here to read the letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

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