DHS Secretary Noem Accepted Undisclosed $80K Dark Money Payment

Kristi Noem, former governor of South Dakota and current Homeland Security Secretary, has come under scrutiny after reports revealed she received an $80,000 payment from the dark money group American Resolve Policy Fund via her Delaware-based LLC, Ashwood Strategies, in 2023. This payment, which significantly supplemented her $130,000 state salary, was not disclosed on the mandatory federal financial disclosure forms required after her Cabinet appointment, raising concerns among ethics experts and potentially violating federal and state laws. The nonprofit group does not disclose its donors, leaving the payment's source unclear and heightening worries about the influence of undisclosed political contributions on sitting officials. Experts note that while politicians often fundraise for nonprofits, it is highly unusual—and ethically questionable—for them to personally benefit financially from such arrangements. Noem's attorney claims she complied with all legal requirements, but critics argue the failure to disclose the payment and the secretive nature of the transaction undermine transparency. Noem has previously faced criticism over lavish personal spending and alleged misuse of taxpayer funds, further intensifying public scrutiny.