The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 3, 2025
ProPublica is reporting an alleged $80,000 disclosure omission by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in her federal executive branch disclosure form, an ethics violation. Noem appears to have received a 2023 commission for fundraising for a dark money nonprofit group.
ProPublica reporters reviewed 2023 documents suggesting a company Noem registered in Delaware, Ashwood Strategies LLC, took in an apparent commission payment of $80,000 for raising money for the American Resolve Policy Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit. Noem did not report the payment on her Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report filed late last year. Reporting found American Resolve was registered within minutes of the registration of Ashwood Strategies. On paper, American Resolve is registered and managed by a Virginia company, SAGe Advisory Group.
Propublica also reports that American Resolve Policy Fund in turn formed American Resolve PAC, supporting Noem in its advertising. In a press statement, Noem’s lawyer claims she did not QUOTE “’establish, finance, maintain, or control American Resolve Policy Fund. She was simply a vendor for a non-profit entity.” UNQUOTE. She was also serving as governor at the time.
We’ve linked to Noem’s federal disclosure form, the ProPublica report and more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
ProPublica – Kristi Noem Secretly Took a Cut of Political Donations
Office of Government Ethics – Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report
Federal Election Commission – AMERICAN RESOLVE PAC INC.
ProPublica – American Resolve Policy Fund, Springfield, VA EIN: 93-2286963
South Dakota Searchlight – (2022) Ethics panel dismisses airplane complaint against Noem, citing no definition of ‘state business’
Business Insider – Kristi Noem took the $50K ‘exotic sports car’ of Rolex watches on her trip to a Salvadoran prison
Groups Taking Action:
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Public Citizen
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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