Noem defends $220 million ad campaign amid lawmaker scrutiny
Reporting cited here
- reported
Reuters reported on March 4, 2026 that DHS had awarded $143 million to Safe America Media and $77 million to People Who Think for an advertising campaign featuring Secretary Kristi Noem. The procurement limited competition to four companies, and Safe America Media had been incorporated about a week before winning its contract.
Paragraphs beginning 'During a hearing', 'The contract was awarded', 'One of the companies', and 'The second'DHS awards ad contracts to Republican-linked firms under Noem · Contract awards reported; procurement defended at congressional hearing
- reported
Reuters reported that the Strategy Group, run by the husband of outgoing DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, said it received a subcontract payment for the campaign. Noem defended the contracts as legal, and DHS said career government employees oversaw procurement.
Paragraphs beginning 'Noem said', 'A DHS spokesperson', and 'The Strategy Group'DHS awards ad contracts to Republican-linked firms under Noem · Contract awards reported; procurement defended at congressional hearing