WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Corey Lewandowski over accusations that he profited from his role as a top adviser to the Department of Homeland Security, according to two officials with knowledge of the situation.

The inquiry, one of the rare instances in which an ally or appointee of President Donald Trump has been investigated for potential wrongdoing during his second term, was initiated in response to a referral from the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, the officials said.

It was not immediately clear what actions were under investigation.

Late Thursday, Trump told reporters at the White House that he had heard about the investigation but did not know the details.

He did not, however, offer words of support or even consolation to his longtime ally.…