DOJ ends probe into Trump border czar Tom Homan over alleged $50,000 bribe
Justice Department closes inquiry, saying there was no credible evidence of wrongdoing; investigation originated under the Biden administration and was dropped after a change in leadership
The Justice Department has closed its inquiry into former Trump border czar Tom Homan over allegations he accepted a $50,000 cash bribe in a Cava restaurant bag, according to people familiar with the matter. The investigation, conducted during the Biden administration, centered on a September sting in which undercover FBI agents posed as businessmen seeking border security contracts. Because Homan was not a federal employee at the time, prosecutors concluded they could not prove he promised specific actions in exchange for the cash, officials said.
The agents recorded part of the exchange, and the cash was presented during the sting. The decision to end the probe followed a review that concluded there was no credible evidence of criminal wrongdoing. In a joint statement, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the matter originated under the previous administration and that investigators found no credible evidence of wrongdoing.
The White House defended Homan, characterizing the inquiry as politically motivated. Deputy White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson described the investigation as a political vendetta and said the former ICE director had not been involved in contract award decisions.
Homan, 63, previously led Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the first Trump administration and has been tasked with enforcing border policies during the president's second term. He has publicly highlighted gains in border enforcement, telling reporters in April that 139,000 illegal migrants had been deported under his watch, and he has urged higher arrest levels should funding become available.
The closure of the probe adds to ongoing political tensions surrounding investigations of Trump allies as the administration weighs its priorities. No comment was provided by the Justice Department beyond the statements already released, and the White House reiterated that resources should focus on real threats rather than politically charged probes.
