Corey Lewandowski, a former campaign manager for Donald Trump and a special government employee at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is reportedly under scrutiny for allegedly attempting to engage with high-ranking officials in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to secure outside work, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. During his tenure at DHS, Lewandowski served as a top aide to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He reportedly proposed assistance with matters within the department’s jurisdiction, such as visa processing. However, officials from both countries reportedly declined his offers, with some expressing confusion over the need for his services, given their existing ties to senior U.S. officials. Lewandowski denied the allegations, calling the report "fiction" in a social media post and criticizing the Journal for relying on anonymous sources. He stated he would not comment further on the matter. A spokesperson for Lewandowski also denied that he sought contracts with foreign governments, played any role in approving or reviewing DHS contracts, or had been contacted about an ongoing inspector general investigation. During his time at DHS, Lewandowski held significant influence over the department's spending decisions. Noem consolidated major spending authority under her office, requiring her approval for all expenditures over $100,000. This arrangement gave Lewandowski substantial control over which companies received government contracts. The Wall Street Journal report highlighted a situation involving Palantir, a software company that had negotiated a proposed $2.7 billion blanket purchase agreement with DHS in the fall of 2025. The deal, covering Secret Service and immigration work, remained unsigned for weeks. Lewandowski reportedly sought a private meeting with Palantir’s CEO, but it was canceled due to discomfort with the circumstances and the pending contract. After the meeting was canceled and the deal was never finalized, Lewandowski reportedly indicated that Palantir’s department-wide work would be scaled back. In February, DHS signed a revised $1 billion agreement with Palantir, and the company stated it was not given an explanation for the reduction. Lewandowski also reportedly handled DHS's business with GEO Group, the largest private-prison company in the U.S. He allegedly threatened the firm in 2017 after it refused to hire him as a lobbyist, telling people familiar with the alleged threat that GEO would not receive government contracts while Trump was president. During Trump’s second term, Lewandowski allegedly blocked the firm from obtaining contracts for months. The Journal also reported that Lewandowski placed allies in key positions across DHS. One such ally, Kara Voorhies, reportedly earned up to $19,000 a week as a FEMA contractor in an unusually senior role. DHS investigators searched her office earlier this year, and the department is reportedly considering a criminal referral to the Department of Justice. House Democrats are also preparing for a similar investigation. If Lewandowski were to be prosecuted, he has told people he believes Trump would offer him a pardon. Trump has reportedly promised pardons for "everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval" before leaving office.