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Now, three officials from federal law enforcement agencies " including Noem's own Department of Homeland Security " with knowledge of the allegations say the entire story was fabricated.
"It is completely false," said one senior law enforcement official who is familiar with the allegation but not authorized to speak publicly on the subject.
Two other federal law enforcement officials echoed this, telling The Intercept that the claims were ludicrous and that there was no evidence corroborating the story.