Welch, Blumenthal Demand Answers from Companies on Potential Corruption in $220 Million Taxpayer-Funded DHS Ad Campaign

Reporting cited here

1. 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.

   Opening paragraphs; Strategy Group paragraphs following the February 13 awards; letter discussion identifying Yoho and McLaughlin

   Senators seek records from DHS ad contractors tied to Noem's circle · Congressional information requests issued