White House Defends Trump's Border Czar Amid Secret Recordings
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Border Czar Thomas D. Homan meet with troops assigned to Joint Task Force North to receive a U.S. Northern Command southern border operations brief, Fort Bliss, Texas, Feb. 3, 2025. Department of Defense photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza. Public domain.
Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's Border Czar, was allegedly caught on FBI recordings accepting $50,000 in cash tucked inside a Cava restaurant bag during a 2024 undercover sting operation. The FBI agents, posing as business executives, reportedly handed over the money in exchange for Homan's promise to help secure lucrative immigration-related government contracts once Trump returned to power. The FBI is said to have recorded the entire exchange, capturing what could be a damning piece of evidence. But, when Trump reclaimed the White House in 2025, the Justice Department quietly shut down the investigation, citing a lack of credible evidence and noting that Homan was not a government official at the time of the alleged bribe. This decision has sparked intense debate over political interference and selective justice.
The Undercover Sting and the Cash Sack
The investigation began in the summer of 2024 in western Texas after a separate probe revealed a target claiming that Homan was soliciting bribes in exchange for future government contracts. Undercover FBI agents, posing as businesspeople interested in immigration contracts, were introduced to Homan through a business associate. According to internal Justice Department documents, and multiple sources familiar with the case, Homan was recorded accepting a bag containing $50,000 in cash at a meeting captured by hidden cameras, as reported by MSNBC. The bag was said to be from the fast-casual restaurant chain Cava, adding an unusual detail to the sting operation.
At the time of the cash exchange, Homan was not yet a government official but was widely expected to take a prominent role in Trump's second administration. He had publicly promised to lead the largest deportation operation in US history if Trump won the 2024 election. Homan's consulting firm, Homeland Strategic Consulting, had previously worked with companies seeking government contracts related to border security, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Justice Department Ends Investigation
Following Trump's inauguration in January 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, both Trump appointees, ordered the probe closed over the summer. They stated that a full review found no credible evidence of criminal wrongdoing and emphasized that the Justice Department's resources should focus on "real threats to the American people, not baseless investigations," as reported by Reuters.
The closure of the investigation has been met with conflicting statements. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Homan, asserting that he "never took the $50,000," as reported by the Associated Press, despite the FBI recordings reported by multiple outlets. Leavitt described the investigation as an attempt by the Biden administration to entrap one of Trump's closest allies. MSNBC, which first reported the story, has stood by its reporting that Homan was recorded accepting the cash.
Political Reactions and Calls for Transparency
Democrats have expressed outrage over the probe's closure, viewing it as evidence of a two-tiered justice system. Senator Chris Murphy criticized the decision, saying it highlights how allies of the president can evade scrutiny while opponents face aggressive legal action. Murphy stated that "there are just two standards of justice now in this country," where loyalty to the president can shield individuals from consequences, as reported by the Associated Press.
Representative Jamie Raskin, ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has called for the release of the FBI tapes and related documents. Raskin raised concerns about Homan's financial ties to immigration contractors and the potential for corruption in awarding government contracts under the Trump administration. He warned that Homan's position as Border Czar uniquely positioned him to help former business clients profit from immigration enforcement spending, as reported by MSNBC.
Legal Perspectives on the Case
Legal experts have noted the unusual nature of the case. Because Homan was not a public official at the time he allegedly accepted the cash, federal bribery statutes did not clearly apply. However, conspiracy to commit bribery or fraud charges could have been pursued based on the agreement to commit a criminal act in the future. Experts explained that promising to influence government contracts once appointed to office, and accepting money for that promise, constitutes a crime even if the official act never occurs.
The case has been compared to the Reagan-era Wedtech scandal, where a lawyer was convicted of conspiracy to commit crimes by accepting payments in exchange for promising to influence contracts after appointment to a government position. Although that conviction was later overturned on procedural grounds, the case remains a benchmark for understanding bribery conspiracies involving future public officials.
White House Position and Homan's Role
The White House has maintained that Homan has not been involved in awarding any government contracts. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson described Homan as a "career law enforcement officer and lifelong public servant who is doing a phenomenal job on behalf of President Trump and the country," as reported by Reuters. Homan himself has not publicly commented on the investigation. His role as Border Czar does not require Senate confirmation or an extensive background check, and he continues to be a visible figure in executing the administration's immigration policies.
What Lies Ahead?
The Justice Department's decision to end the investigation has not quelled demands for transparency. Congressional Democrats are pressing for oversight hearings and the release of all evidence, including the FBI's undercover recordings. The controversy adds to concerns about political influence over law enforcement under the Trump administration.
Whether the investigation will be reopened or further inquiries launched remains uncertain. For now, the story of the cash-filled Cava bag and the closure of the probe stand as a vivid example of the complex intersection of politics, law enforcement, and power in the current administration.
The FBI tapes and internal documents remain unreleased, leaving the public and lawmakers eager for answers as the debate over accountability and justice continues.
References: Trump aide Homan accepted $50,000 in bribery sting operation, sources say | White House backs 'border czar' after reports he accepted $50K in undercover FBI probe | White House defends border czar in wake of closed DOJ probe: Homan did 'nothing wrong' | Tom Homan investigated for accepting $50,000 from FBI agents. Trump's DOJ shut it down.
