On Monday, a White House spokeswoman categorically denied allegations that Tom Homan, the president’s border czar, accepted a bag containing $50,000 in cash during an undercover F.B.I. investigation last September. This statement stands in stark contrast to recent news reports detailing the case, which have raised significant questions about Homan's conduct.
According to a report by The New York Times, F.B.I. agents conducted an undercover operation that included an audio recording of a meeting in September 2024. During this meeting, Homan allegedly received a bag filled with $50,000 from the fast-food chain Cava. The recording reportedly captures Homan agreeing to assist agents posing as businessmen in securing lucrative federal contracts for border security initiatives, should a second Trump administration come to fruition.
Sources who requested anonymity have indicated that the investigation was abruptly closed by the Trump Justice Department this year, leaving some investigators frustrated by the lack of follow-through. They expressed concern that the case did not adequately meet the legal thresholds for crimes such as bribery or conspiracy.
In response to inquiries about the allegations, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt firmly rejected the claims, asserting that President Trump remains fully supportive of Homan. “Mr. Homan never took the $50,000 that you’re referring to,” Leavitt stated. She characterized the situation as a further instance of the supposed weaponization of the Biden Department of Justice against one of Trump’s most vocal supporters during a critical election cycle.
Leavitt emphasized that Homan is a dedicated public servant who “did absolutely nothing wrong.” She accused the F.B.I. agents of attempting to “entrap” Homan, who she noted was poised to take on a government position following the presidential campaign.
Reports have surfaced indicating that senior officials within the Justice Department, including Emil Bove III, expressed skepticism regarding the investigation as early as February. Some insiders claim that the evidence collected was insufficient to substantiate the necessary elements of federal crimes, while others suggest that the investigation was prematurely concluded before adequate evidence could be gathered.
Despite the allegations, Homan did not respond to requests for comment over the weekend. Administration officials have reiterated that he was not involved in any decisions related to awarding federal contracts.
Tom Homan previously served as the acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration. After leaving government in 2018, he became a paid contributor for Fox News and has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration's immigration policies. Furthermore, he founded the Border911 Foundation, aimed at educating the public on the importance of a secure and well-managed border.
In addition to his advocacy work, Homan established a consulting business that has worked with firms seeking immigration-related contracts, including those that benefited from Trump’s policies. Notably, he was compensated between $100,000 and $150,000 to lobby in Texas for Fisher Industries, a construction firm that secured a $225 million contract to build a section of the border wall.
Homan has expressed his desire to rejoin the Trump administration if the president wins re-election. In a social media post from November 2023, he stated, “I promised President Trump when he announced that if he goes back, I go back. And I’m going to run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.”
The F.B.I. investigation came to light after a target suggested to Homan in 2023 that a $1 million payment could lead to lucrative federal contracts for border security work. Following Trump's victory in November, law enforcement officials informed the incoming administration about the ongoing investigation as they began considering candidates for government positions.
As the situation develops, the implications of these allegations against Tom Homan continue to be a point of significant interest in the political landscape, particularly as the 2024 presidential campaign unfolds.
