(DCNF)—The Department of Homeland Security rejected a nearly $58 million contract for advertising and marketing support services for the U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting Command after determining that the outside vendor promotes LGBTQ and other “inclusive” ideology as part of its core offerings, the Daily Caller News Foundation first learned.
In June 2025, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a policy requiring her personal review of contracts and grants over $100,000 to increase oversight and curb wasteful spending. The contract under review, obtained by the DCNF, sought $57,971,387 from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for media consulting firm Lempugh, Inc. (LMD) to “execute Option Period Three for continued Advertising Support Services” for one year.
“Secretary Noem personally reviews and approves all DHS contracts over $100,000. One of the latest in a line of contracts rejected by the Secretary is this nearly $58 million dollar contract to an advertising and marketing firm that has its website riddled with blogs lecturing on how to successfully market to a transgender audience and how not to ‘rainbow wash’ in marketing campaigns,” a DHS spokesperson told the DCNF.
In a memo seeking approval of the LMD contract, USCG Commandant Adm. Kevin E. Lunday wrote that it would increase “awareness of the USCG among the target recruiting audience, which results in both more online applications and improved recruiter effectiveness.”
The Commandant also told DHS in the memo that failure to approve the contract would “substantially diminish” recruitment and “impede the ability to meet personnel requirements,” adding that “one in four recruits has been directly attributable to advertising” under the existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).
However, upon further review of the media agency, Noem identified ideology promoting the inclusion of transgender marketing along with other culturally “inclusive” measures.
LMD is a marketing and advertising agency based in Maryland that claims expertise in government communications and outreach. In addition to prior work for the Coast Guard, the firm lists the Department of Energy, DHS, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) among its past clients.
The company, which bills itself as a “change agency,” features articles on its website covering marketing tactics for “LGBTQ+ audiences and allies,” transgender individuals, and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA).
In the “Rainbow-Washing” post highlighted by DHS, a company strategist decries “performative activism that is designed to pander to the LGBTQ+ audience and allies” and advises brands to make “LGBTQ+ inclusion” a “core” component of company policy.
Other blog posts on the website include titles such as “The Do’s & Don’ts of Marketing to the Transgender Audience” and “Does Your Brand Pass the DEIA Vibe Check?” In the latter, communications specialist Chanda Vuong, who collaborates with Coast Guard recruiters nationwide, discussed do and don’t strategies for companies to “’stay woke’ and be more inclusive” in a way that is “authentic.”
The nearly $58 million contract with LMD was requested to begin on Friday, lasting till Feb. 26,2027.
“The Secretary’s policy reviewing contracts has saved U.S. taxpayers roughly $50 million every day since she took office on January 25, 2025,” the DHS spokesperson told DCNF. “Despite constant criticism of this policy from the media and D.C. bureaucrats, results like these speak for themselves.”
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.