House Democrats launch investigation of DHS ads on Trump immigration policies
Source: The Hill
03/21/25 3:46 PM ET
House Democrats are launching an investigation into an ad campaign from the Trump administration on its immigration policies, saying it may have violated federal spending guidelines by promoting political aims and giving contracts to administration allies. Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are investigating new ads launched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that praise Trump for his immigration policies while warning migrants not to travel to the U.S.
The Democrats note the funding came after the president requested an ad thanking him for his actions at the border, and that contracts to do so went to firms with ties to the Trump campaign.
“Contrary to DHS’s stated intent of the campaign, reports indicate that, at the express direction of President Donald Trump, DHS is paying significant sums to produce and distribute materials with the intent of lauding the President’s draconian immigration policies. In doing so, DHS appears to have evaded the competitive bidding process that ensures taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, instead awarding this vanity project…to enrich Republican campaign consultants,” Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the Homeland Security ranking member, and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the Oversight ranking member, wrote to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The letter said the contracts were a “multiple-award indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract” allowing payments of up to $200 million over two years. DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5208077-trump-administration-immigration-investigation/
Committee on Oversight and Accountability Democrats' PRESS RELEASE - Ranking Members Connolly and Thompson Launch Investigation into DHS’s $200 Million Bizarre “Thank You Trump” Ad Campaign Awarded to Cronies
Link to LETTER (will have a "downloading" notice at the link site to download PDF) - https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/ranking-members-connolly-and-thompson-launch-investigation-dhss-200-million