DHS Cited Border ‘National Emergency’ to Bypass Bidding for $220M Ad Push, Reportedly Used Company Tied to Noem Allies

Kathryn Wilkens Nov 14th, 2025, 3:17 pm

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem looks on during Iowa’s Roast and Ride, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

According to a Friday ProPublica investigation , the Department of Homeland Security invoked a “national emergency” at the southern border to bypass competitive bidding rules for a massive $220 million advertising campaign — a process that ultimately funneled work to a Republican consulting firm with deep ties to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem .

DHS has defended its ad effort as necessary to confront a “national [border] emergency,” using that justific

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