Democrats demand subpoena for Lewandowski over controversial $220M DHS ad campaign

Congressional Democrats are pressing the Republican-controlled House to subpoena Corey Lewandowski - former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's top advisor - over his alleged role in a controversial border security ad campaign that prompted bipartisan criticism.

The lawmakers argue the matter is an urgent taxpayer oversight issue and want Jordan to compel witness testimony and documents related to Lewandowski's influence over the ad campaign.

"We urge you to use the Committee's subpoena power to compel production of documents and communications regarding Mr. Lewandowski's role in awarding these contracts and require Mr. Lewandowski to appear before the Committee for a deposition," the Democratic lawmakers wrote. "Mr. Lewandowski was at the center of the Department's advertising spending and is the person best positioned to explain how a quarter of a billion dollars in taxpayer money was spent."

Lawmakers in both chambers grilled Noem on the topic during back-to-back hearings earlier in March, during which she testified under oath that the ad campaign had been approved through the standard competitive bid process and disputed that its purpose was to boost her public profile. 

In the letter, the Democratic lawmakers singled out three businesses that received the $220 million ad contract, which multiple reports have found bypassed the traditional competitive bidding process.

Noem also claimed under oath that the ad campaign had President Donald Trump's approval only for him to contradict her testimony in an interview with Reuters.

The House Homeland Security Committee has also said it is probing the controversial ad blitz.

Fox News Digital reached out to Jordan for comment.