Kristi Noem has been referred to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation over alleged perjury tied to her claims that Donald Trump approved her $220 million commercial featuring her riding a horse.

Top congressional Democrats referred the outgoing Homeland Security secretary to the DOJ for a perjury investigation for ‘knowingly making false statements under oath’ to Congress.

Noem testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month that Donald Trump had known about and approved the $220 million advertising campaign. Days later, Trump told reporters he had not approved the commercial.

Within 24 hours of Noem’s testimony, she became the first cabinet secretary fired during Trump’s second term. She and her rumored lover, Corey Lewandowski, are set to officially depart Homeland Security on March 31.

Democratic Presentative Jamie Raskin and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin told Pam Bondi ‘we have low expectations that you will pursue this matter given your partisan weaponization of the Department of Justice.’

‘We note that the statute of limitations for knowingly and willfully making false statements to Congress is five years,’ Raskin and Durbin wrote to Bondi. 

The $220 million contract awarded by DHS was allegedly given to a consulting firm linked to the husband of Noem’s former spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin, raising allegations of a potential conflict of interest.

Noem will be replaced by Markwayne Mullin, a conservative senator from Oklahoma. Her firing comes as the vast majority of DHS remains shut down due to Democrats refusing to approve funding.

Kristi Noem has been referred to the DOJ for a criminal investigation but top congressional Democrats

The Daily Mail has contacted DOJ for comment on the matter.