Judiciary leaders refer Noem's testimony to DOJ for investigation
Reporting and findings
- documented
On March 16, 2026, the ranking members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees asked DOJ to investigate whether Kristi Noem knowingly made false statements in congressional testimony. Their referral challenged her account of DHS advertising procurement, among other statements.
- Senate and House Judiciary Committee ranking members: March 16, 2026 referral requesting investigation of Kristi Noem's congressional testimonyPDF page 1, request and statutory discussion; section B, Statements Regarding DHS Contracts, beginning on PDF page 3
- documented
The referral records Noem telling Senator John Kennedy that Trump knew of the advertising spending beforehand, then contrasts that testimony with Trump's March 5 statement to Reuters denying knowledge of the campaign.
- Senate and House Judiciary Committee ranking members: March 16, 2026 referral requesting investigation of Kristi Noem's congressional testimonyPDF page 3, section B, exchange with Senator Kennedy and following paragraph reporting Trump's Reuters interview
Summary and current status
Investigation requested; allegation is not a criminal charge or finding
People and organizations
- Kristi NoemSubject of congressional referral concerning allegedly false testimony