Senators seek records from DHS ad contractors tied to Noem's circle
Reporting and findings
- documented
On March 6, 2026, Senators Peter Welch and Richard Blumenthal demanded records from Safe America Media, People Who Think and the Strategy Group concerning possible conflicts of interest in DHS advertising contracts. Their release identifies Strategy Group CEO Benjamin Yoho as the husband of DHS public-affairs official Tricia McLaughlin and says Noem confirmed the firm's work on her gubernatorial campaign.
- Office of Senator Peter Welch: Welch, Blumenthal Demand Answers from Companies on Potential Corruption in $220 Million Taxpayer-Funded DHS Ad CampaignOpening paragraphs; Strategy Group paragraphs following the February 13 awards; letter discussion identifying Yoho and McLaughlin
Summary and current status
Congressional information requests issued
People and organizations
- Kristi NoemFormer DHS secretary whose department's contracts were under congressional scrutiny