Misused public funds
Noem unable to say where $143M no-bid DHS ad contractor Safe America Media is headquartered
Confidence: Confirmed · 3 sourcesUnited States · Sep 21, 2026
Subject of this story
Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
Safe America Media
Also named
Advocate
Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative, Colorado's 2nd District
Peter Welch, U.S. Senator, Vermont
Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator, Connecticut
What happened
At a congressional hearing, Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) questioned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about a $143 million no-bid contract awarded to Safe America Media, a company incorporated only 8 days before the contract was signed, with no prior government work and links to a Republican political operative. Noem testified on the record that she did not know where the company was headquartered. Multiple outlets and two U.S. Senators (Welch and Blumenthal) have since demanded further answers about the contract.
Sources (3)
SourceVideo record of Noem's own on-the-record hearing testimony is the primary document evidencing the exchange.
The New RepublicIndependent confirmation of the contract details and Noem's inability to answer.
SourceOfficial Senate record demanding answers about the contract.
Response
Kristi Noem
Statement given
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
Safe America Media
No response by publication
Contacted — no response by publication.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.