Mother Jones: "Everybody Hates Cory: Sex workers, bankruptcy, stolen valor, a restraining order, and Trump’s “Complete and Total” endorsement for Congress."
- Jun 29
- 2 min read
Cory Mills’ carefully built image as a decorated veteran, defense contractor, and rising MAGA congressman is undercut by a long list of controversies involving his military record, PACEM business dealings, Afghanistan rescue claims, finances, and allegations involving women. People who have known or worked with Mills described a pattern of dishonesty, ego, instability, and self-promotion, with one source saying, “He’s got financial problems; he’s got problems with dishonesty and ego.” The same source warned that if someone were giving a security briefing, Mills could be used as a case study in “all the things not to do.”
The Afghanistan rescue story is one of the most damaging sections. Mills has publicly portrayed himself as central to the mission, but people familiar with the operation said the mission succeeded more in spite of him than because of him. Sources alleged Mills hired sex workers multiple times during the operation, even after being told to stop, with one source saying, “It was every night.” Others described the behavior as reckless, unprofessional, and dangerous, especially because special operations veterans were preparing for a mission they believed could turn into armed combat. Two sources also said at least one of the women allegedly spoke Russian, raising counterintelligence concerns. Mills later claimed Mariam’s family had been “left behind” by the Biden administration, but State Department FOIA records reportedly showed officials were actively working to extract her and her children.
Mills’ military record and “hero” image are also questioned, including scrutiny around his Bronze Star story and whether public claims about his actions match the accounts of people connected to the events. His business record through PACEM raises additional concerns, including questions about federal contracting, financial disclosures, and whether his companies benefited from government work while he served in Congress. Those issues have fueled congressional ethics scrutiny and broader concerns about his financial entanglements.
Money troubles are another recurring theme. Mills has presented himself as a successful businessman, but reporting has pointed to financial disputes, disclosure questions, PACEM-related debt and business issues, and personal financial problems, including late rent and eviction-related reporting. Taken together, the financial questions complicate the image Mills has promoted of himself as a disciplined, successful defense entrepreneur.
The allegations involving women add another layer of concern. Mills has faced scrutiny over an alleged assault incident, a restraining order request, and accusations from Miss United States involving alleged threats and sexual material. Mills has denied wrongdoing, but the pattern of allegations has added to concerns about judgment, vulnerability, and conduct.
The most serious takeaway is the national security concern: Mills sits in positions involving defense and foreign affairs, yet sources warned that his conduct, finances, ego, and personal controversies could make him vulnerable to manipulation. As one congressional source put it, the information reported about Mills could make him susceptible to “malign actors and honeytraps.”
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