The Department of Justice has officially terminated an investigation involving President Donald Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, following allegations that he accepted cash from undercover FBI agents posing as business executives. Multiple sources familiar with the situation have revealed these developments to ABC News.
The sting operation, which originated from a larger public corruption probe not initially aimed at Homan, resulted in a recorded encounter where Homan reportedly accepted a bag containing $50,000 in cash. During this encounter, he allegedly discussed the possibility of assisting the men in obtaining government contracts, contingent upon Trump's potential victory in the 2024 election, according to the sources.
This investigation commenced during the Biden administration but was subsequently transferred to the Trump administration. Officials informed the Justice Department leadership about the investigation during the initial days of Trump's presidency, as part of their ongoing effort to vet personnel appointed to senior leadership positions within the administration. While the investigation progressed, questions arose regarding whether Homan would indeed follow through on arranging the government contracts, particularly as some Justice Department officials doubted the legal foundation for any potential charges, given that Trump's election victory was not yet assured at that time.
The encounter involving Homan was captured by the undercover agents, and the investigation continued into the Trump administration. Internal discussions took place regarding the justification for charges. Ultimately, both the DOJ and the FBI decided to shut the investigation down, as reported by sources to ABC News.
The closure of this investigation has sparked concerns among both current and former officials regarding the potential for the Trump administration to further politicize the Justice Department by shielding prominent figures from legal examination. Requests for comments from the Justice Department, FBI, and the White House have not received responses, and Homan did not immediately reply to an ABC News inquiry.
However, in a statement provided to ABC News, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the existence of the probe, stating it underwent thorough review by FBI agents and Justice Department prosecutors. They concluded that there was no credible evidence of any criminal wrongdoing, emphasizing that the Department's resources should focus on genuine threats to the American people rather than unfounded investigations.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson condemned the investigation as a politically motivated effort that yielded no evidence of illegal activity. Jackson further criticized the Biden administration's use of resources to target Trump’s allies instead of addressing significant issues, including the influx of illegal immigration. She defended Homan as a dedicated career law enforcement officer and public servant, asserting that he has not played any role in White House decisions regarding government contracts.
