‘Shadow Administrator’ at FEMA Under Investigation by DHS Internal Watchdog
Under the direction of former Secretary Kristi Noem and her advisor Corey Lewandowski, a key outside contractor was placed within the Department of Homeland Security. This individual, Kara Voorhies, has since come under scrutiny as part of an extensive probe by the DHS Office of Inspector General. According to three sources familiar with the matter, her influence over FEMA’s operations and financial decisions has raised concerns about the agency’s governance.
FEMA insiders reported that contractors are typically restricted from making decisions that commit the government to core activities like budget approvals, policy shifts, and personnel management. However, Voorhies frequently intervened in these areas, with six senior officials stating she often decided matters that should have been handled by federal employees. One official remarked,
“In many instances, she was making key decisions.”
This has led to her being described as the agency’s de facto “shadow administrator.”
Voorhies played a central role in enforcing strict spending controls within FEMA, which operates with a budget exceeding billions of dollars. Her involvement coincided with DHS’s efforts to delay funds, reduce emergency grants, and limit FEMA’s operational scope. Internal communications reviewed by CNN reveal that senior FEMA staff sought her approval before releasing disaster aid, presenting updates to Congress, or sharing documents with the White House.
Officials are unsure whether Voorhies acted independently or as an extension of Noem’s and Lewandowski’s directives. She did not respond to CNN’s attempts to contact her via multiple phone numbers and email addresses. DHS also declined to comment on her role and activities, while a White House spokesperson directed inquiries to the department.
President Donald Trump removed Noem earlier this month, praising her service and appointing her as a special envoy for a new security initiative. Following her departure, Voorhies was terminated by the administration, as stated by three sources. In a recent court filing, Trump’s legal team acknowledged the ongoing OIG investigation, noting that they had not yet accessed Voorhies’ work devices, which are now in the watchdog’s possession.
The termination of Voorhies sparked further interest from investigators examining DHS’s contracting practices. Attorneys contesting FEMA’s recent staff cuts are requesting records from her, along with Noem and Lewandowski, to assess the extent of their oversight. Noem’s management of contracts was cited as a critical reason for her dismissal, while Lewandowski’s close involvement in the agency’s operations has created ongoing friction with White House officials.
Senior officials indicated that Lewandowski personally selected Voorhies to serve as a conduit for his and Noem’s directives. She implemented policies such as requiring the secretary’s signature on all expenditures over $100,000, which contributed to a significant backlog in funding requests. FEMA’s acting chief, Karen Evans, was reportedly required to funnel decisions through Voorhies before finalizing them, a practice confirmed by documents CNN analyzed.
Questions remain about the thoroughness of Voorhies’ vetting process. Her position as a “gatekeeper” has drawn scrutiny, with officials expressing doubts about her authority to influence FEMA’s operations without direct government oversight.
