Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is seeking personal financial disclosure forms from President Trump’s former campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski, who now works at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a senior adviser.
“The lack of this public financial disclosure undermines transparency and erodes public trust in government” Garcia said in a three-page letter Friday to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “As the Secretary of Homeland Security, we request that you release Mr. Lewandowski’s financial disclosure report to the Committee and make it publicly available as required by law.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Hill on Friday that Lewandowski’s time at the department is being kept by a “career DHS employee who submits the paperwork on a bi-weekly basis” and that he has completed all the “required Office of Government Ethics forms, including a full financial disclosure and any investments by his family.”
Lewandowski does not receive a salary nor any federal government benefits, according to McLaughlin, adding he “volunteers his time to serve the American people.”
His financial disclosures have not been made public. Disclosures are required to be filed, according to the law, after working 60 days in the role unless an exception is allowed by a supervisor.
Garcia also sent a letter to the Office of Government Ethics, asking acting Director Eric Ueland to release Lewandowski’s financial disclosure report to the Oversight Committee and “make it publicly available as required by law.”
“Public financial disclosure is required for SGEs that are expected to serve more than 60 days and qualify as a public filer—both qualifications which Mr. Lewandowski has clearly met. According to DHS, Mr. Lewandowski has worked at least 69 days since his hiring in late January, 2025,” Garcia wrote in the letter to Ueland.
Initially, Lewandowski was tapped as a special government employee (SGE), a temporary post usually limited to 130 days a year.
Lewandowski has traveled with the DHS chief and been described as effectively serving as Noem’s chief of staff, according to multiple news outlets.
“He serves as an advisor. The Secretary, like all previous Secretaries, has various senior advisors,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “All decisions are made by Secretary Noem. Deputy Secretary Edgar and Mr. Lewandowski consistently make recommendations to Secretary Noem, who has the final decision. Multiple staff have the ability to provide recommendations and input for her consideration.”
Garcia is asking the DHS to release Lewandowski’s financial disclosure to the House panel as well as “publish the disclosure” by Sept. 19.
In late August, Garcia inquired about Lewandowski’s work as a special government employee at the DHS and if he “may have exceeded this limit by failing to accurately record all of his workdays.”
