# Democrats Launch Broad Congressional Oversight Into Former DHS Officials and Policies Lawmakers target former Trump administration officials to investigate alleged corruption, spending, and deportation policies. - **Source:** [Axios](https://www.axios.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d626dfd6-3eb7-4c93-b0f4-0cb7b985a8ac ## Congressional Oversight Campaign Democrats holding House and Senate majorities are initiating comprehensive investigations into former Department of Homeland Security officials. Key targets include former Secretary Kristi Noem, advisor Corey Lewandowski, and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Lawmakers aim to utilize subpoena power to compel testimony regarding past agency actions and policies. ## Targeting Key Administration Figures Rep. Delia Ramirez and other Democrats have publicly warned former officials to prepare for hearings. The list includes Border Czar Tom Homan and retired commander Gregory Bovino. While these individuals previously declined invitations to testify, Democrats now intend to use compulsory processes to ensure their appearance before relevant congressional committees. ## Investigating Financial Misconduct Senator Maggie Hassan has demanded that Corey Lewandowski preserve all records related to his tenure as a special government employee. The committee is probing allegations of financial corruption and potential conflicts of interest. Lewandowski, who served as Noem’s de-facto chief of staff, has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his agency activities. ## Scrutinizing Agency Spending Rep. Bennie Thompson plans to investigate the agency's massive budget, specifically focusing on the One Big Beautiful Bill. Oversight efforts will examine the purchase of luxury private jets and extensive ICE detention facility expansions. Previous policies, such as Noem’s requirement to personally approve all spending over $100,000, remain under intense scrutiny. ## Deportation Policy and Custody Democrats are prioritizing investigations into every death occurring in DHS custody and during arrest operations. They are also reviewing a whistleblower complaint alleging that an accelerated hiring spree reduced training standards for new ICE agents. These inquiries seek to uncover the operational impacts of the administration's mass deportation agenda. ## Justice Department Involvement Beyond congressional efforts, the Justice Department is reportedly investigating the agency’s contracting activities. This probe follows a referral from DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari concerning Lewandowski’s conduct. While Lewandowski’s legal team denies contact from the DOJ, the scrutiny highlights significant concerns regarding the administration's management of federal government contracts. ## Administration and Official Responses Current DHS leadership and administration spokespeople have dismissed these efforts as political theater. General Counsel James Percival labeled the oversight as nonsense, while the White House characterized the investigations as radical left policies. Former officials like Bovino have rejected the legitimacy of these demands, framing the congressional inquiries as ideologically motivated. ## Future Legislative Implications As Democrats assume committee chair positions, the shift in power grants them the authority to enforce subpoenas that were previously ignored. The focus remains on transparency regarding past spending and policy decisions. The outcome of these investigations will likely shape future debates over executive accountability and the oversight of federal agencies. ## Sources covering this story - [Axios — Democrats Target Former DHS Officials for Congressional Oversight](https://www.axios.com/2026/11/11/kristi-noem-homeland-security-congress-subpoena) - [ABC News – Top Stories — Senator Hassan Demands Records Preservation from Former DHS Advisor Lewandowski](https://abcnews.com/Politics/former-dhs-adviser-corey-lewandowski-ordered-preserve-records/story?id=138027976) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._