By Peter Weber
Copyright theweek
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Less than $3 per week
View Profile
The Explainer
Talking Points
The Week Recommends
Newsletters
From the Magazine
The Week Junior
Food & Drink
Personal Finance
All Categories
Newsletter sign up
Trump DOJ shut bribery case against ally Homan
The Justice Department closed a bribery investigation into President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan
Newsletter sign up
Homan ‘was collecting bribes in exchange for future government contracts’
(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)
Peter Weber, The Week US
22 September 2025
What happened
The Justice Department suspended and then closed a bribery investigation into President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, that was launched after undercover FBI agents recorded him accepting a $50,000 bag of cash while promising future immigration-related contracts, The Washington Post, Reuters and MSNBC reported over the weekend.
Trump, meanwhile, “all but ordered” Attorney General Pam Bondi to “prosecute his political foes in a series of weekend posts,” The Wall Street Journal said.
Who said what
The FBI set up the September 2024 sting after the target of an unrelated investigation “repeatedly brought up Homan, saying he was collecting bribes in exchange for future government contracts,” Reuters said. With video of Homan taking the cash, “several FBI and Justice officials” believed they had a “strong criminal case” for “conspiracy to commit bribery,” which only requires proving intent, MSNBC said, citing four sources.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Sunday said the investigation was shuttered after a “full review by FBI agents” and prosecutors “found no credible evidence of any criminal wrongdoing.” The White House said Homan did not handle contracts.
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week’s Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump said Saturday on social media he was appointing White House adviser Lindsey Halligan, a former personal lawyer, to be U.S. attorney in Virginia, after forcing out his previous appointee, Erik Siebert, on Friday. Trump criticized “woke RINO” Siebert for declining to file charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. James, Comey and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) are “all guilty as hell,” and “we can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump wrote in a post Saturday directed to “Pam.” “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
Sign up for Today’s Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Explore More
Department of Justice
Donald Trump
Peter Weber, The Week US
Social Links Navigation
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site’s launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
Is duty-free shopping worth it?
the explainer
How to determine whether you are actually getting a good deal
Charlie Kirk honored as ‘martyr’ at memorial rally
At a service for the slain conservative activist, speakers included President Donald Trump and many top administration officials
UK, 3 Western allies recognize Palestinian state
Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the state of Palestine
You might also like
Charlie Kirk honored as ‘martyr’ at memorial rally
At a service for the slain conservative activist, speakers included President Donald Trump and many top administration officials
Judge says DOJ misled to deport Guatemalan kids
The Trump administration was barred from deporting hundreds of Guatemalan children
Trump asks Supreme Court to OK Cook ouster
In his attempt to seize control of the US central bank, the president seeks permission to oust Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook
ABC shelves ‘Kimmel Live’ after Trump FCC threat
‘A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the president doesn’t like what they say’
What is Donald Trump’s visit worth to the UK economy?
In the Spotlight
Centrepiece of the president’s trip, business-wise, is a ‘technology partnership’
Trump’s visit: the mouse and the walrus
Talking Point
Britain is keen to point to its own ‘tangible results’, but the US administration has made their demands clear
Is hate speech still protected speech?
Talking Points
Pam Bondi’s threat to target hate speech raises concerns
Supreme Court: Will it allow Trump’s tariffs?
Justices fast-track Trump’s appeal to see if his sweeping tariffs are unconstitutional
View More ▸
Contact Future’s experts
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Advertise With Us
The Week is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street
