Palantir hires ex-Sen. Tester as federal contracts top $2 billion

Palantir Technologies has hired former Montana Senator Jon Tester to serve as an advisor, a move aimed at addressing growing criticism from Democrats who are set to control both chambers of Congress in January.

Tester, who lost his Senate race in 2024, described his role as advisory rather than lobbying. He stated that the company has a narrative it needs to share with the new leadership.

The hiring comes as tech firms brace for increased oversight from the incoming Democratic majority, who have criticized the industry for its close ties with the Trump administration.

Palantir, valued at more than $350 billion, holds $2 billion in federal contracts. Government records show these agreements are primarily with the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and State, though the company also works with Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services.

The software firm has faced scrutiny over its role in mass surveillance. In early 2026, Senator Ron Wyden and 30 other Democratic lawmakers sent a letter demanding answers about Palantir's contracts with the Department of Homeland Security.

Wyden’s office said the senator intends to revisit these questions as the chairman of the Finance Committee. The staff noted that if Palantir does not respond adequately next year, compulsory processes will be considered.

Tester, an organic farmer and former critic of the PATRIOT Act, said he believes Palantir operates differently from traditional surveillance agencies. He noted that the company does not build large databases or trade in private data.

"I wanted to do away with the Patriot Act because it was about privacy," Tester said. "This is an organization that believes in privacy."

The appointment follows a period of public friction between the company and Democrats. Last year, more than a dozen former employees criticized Palantir for a $30 million contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They argued the tool provided near real-time visibility into migrant movement, which they said violated the company's internal code of conduct.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp, a self-described liberal, has been vocal in his support for restrictive immigration policies. In a 2025 interview, he told Democratic friends to grow a spine, suggesting that many of them privately agreed with his stance on immigration.