Ranking Member Lauren Underwood Demands Full Accounting of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Taxpayer-Funded Travel to Illinois

WASHINGTON – This afternoon, Ranking Member Lauren Underwood wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to formally request more information and a full accounting of Noem’s taxpayer funded travel for a 26-minute press conference she held today in Springfield, Illinois.

Underwood’s letter follows Noem’s first appearance before the Committee on Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee yesterday, where Noem repeatedly failed to provide answers on the Trump Administration’s use of taxpayer funds for what appear to be political advertisements. 

In the letter, Underwood writes that the press conference raises serious concerns about the use of federal assets for political purposes. Americans deserve a clear explanation of the purpose, logistics, and cost of this event and how it aligns with the Department’s mission and legal obligations. 

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

May 7, 2025

The Honorable Kristi Noem

Secretary

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528     

Dear Secretary Noem,

As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I write to request additional information regarding your visit today to Springfield, Illinois, where you held an official Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference. The event’s messaging, official branding, and staff involvement suggest the use of DHS resources for what appears to be a politically-driven event.

The event, described in Department of Homeland Security materials as taking place in “Governor J.B. Pritzker’s backyard,” was promoted with departmental resources and supported by Department personnel, raising serious concerns about the use of federal assets for political purposes. Furthermore, the only stated objective for this event in the DHS resources promoting it was to “call out” a political figure who has criticized you and President Trump. Americans deserve a clear explanation of the purpose, logistics, and cost of this event and how it aligns with the Department’s mission and legal obligations.

The Committee has a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately and in full compliance with federal law. Therefore, please provide answers to the following questions in writing no later than May 21, 2025.

1. What was the total overall cost of this event, including transportation, security, and any expenses incurred by state and local governments to support your travel?
2. Please provide a detailed breakdown of all DHS personnel who supported or traveled for this event, including their titles, office components, and assigned roles.
3. What mode of transportation was used for you and your staff to travel to Illinois—commercial or government—and what was the total cost to taxpayers for transportation?
4. Were any DHS funds used for media consultants, event production services, or personal image preparation for yourself or any other participants? If so, please provide an itemized breakdown of those expenditures and the justification for them.
5. The video DHS posted of the full press conference is 26 minutes long. Did you conduct any other official engagements on this trip, or did you and your team fly to Illinois solely for this press conference?
6. As discussed above, the only objective identified in DHS materials promoting this event was to “call out” the Governor of Illinois. Did this trip have any official or policy objectives? If so, what were they?
7. What specific policy objectives were achieved by this trip that could not have been communicated through standard departmental channels, such as a written release or virtual press conference?
8. Was any outreach conducted to Illinois state or local officials prior to the press event, or were standard intergovernmental protocols bypassed?
9. Was the event reviewed and approved by the DHS Office of General Counsel or the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to ensure compliance with the Hatch Act and departmental ethics policies? 

As Secretary, your responsibility is to uphold the law, not to use federal resources to stage partisan attacks. The American people deserve responsible leadership, proper stewardship of public funds, and strict adherence to legal limits on political activity by federal officials. In light of the Department’s pressing operational challenges, it is critical that all official travel and public events serve legitimate homeland security purposes. I appreciate your prompt attention to this request and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Lauren Underwood

Ranking Member

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security

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