President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday, October 22, 2026, that he has "heard something about" a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into Corey Lewandowski, his former campaign manager and adviser at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The president stated he was unaware of the specific details regarding the probe but said that administration officials who are not honest should be prosecuted. An attorney for Lewandowski denied any wrongdoing and stated that his client had not been contacted by the DOJ.
The investigation reportedly follows a referral from the DHS inspector general concerning Lewandowski's tenure at the agency under Secretary Kristi Noem. During that time, Lewandowski served as a special government employee. Reports indicate that the probe is examining whether Lewandowski improperly profited from his past role at the department. The Washington Sun reported earlier in the week that some open records requests related to Lewandowski’s time at DHS were denied because of an ongoing criminal investigation.
When asked about the situation, Trump said he wanted his people to be "100 percent honest" and added, "I’ll have my DOJ go and do whatever they have to do." Adam Trigg, Lewandowski's attorney, told The Associated Press that his client "proudly" served his country in a voluntary capacity. Neither the Department of Justice nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for comment.
The scale of the impact is currently limited to the investigation of Lewandowski. The case highlights the legal boundaries for private citizens who move into temporary government roles. A person in a similar role would notice changes in how their external business activities are screened or restricted by agency ethics officials to prevent similar criminal referrals.
The knock-on effects could involve stricter reporting requirements for special government employees at the DHS and other federal departments. It also marks a shift in DOJ activity, which The Associated Press noted has recently focused on investigating critics of the administration. What happens next depends on whether the DOJ chooses to file formal charges or issue subpoenas. Lewandowski’s attorney stated on October 22, 2026, that no contact from the department had yet occurred.