Corey Lewandowski, a longtime adviser to President Donald Trump, is expected to depart the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amid a significant leadership shakeup at the agency. The move follows President Trump’s decision on Thursday to remove Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary and nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as her successor. Noem, who had served in the role since the start of Trump’s second term, will transition to a new position as special envoy for the administration’s “Shield of the Americas” initiative, a security-focused effort in the Western Hemisphere set to be announced soon.
Lewandowski had been working at DHS as an unpaid special government employee (SGE), a temporary designation that typically restricts service to no more than 130 days in any 365-day period. Despite the informal and limited nature of his appointment, he quickly emerged as one of the most influential figures in the department under Noem’s leadership. Sources described him as functioning in a role akin to a de facto chief of staff, wielding considerable sway over internal management, personnel decisions, and even aspects of contracting processes—despite lacking a Senate-confirmed position or formal title.
His influence drew scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. During congressional testimony earlier in the week, Noem insisted that Lewandowski did not approve departmental contracts. However, some members of Congress pushed back, pointing to reports and documents suggesting he had been involved in certain decision-making processes. The arrangement raised questions about accountability and the appropriate scope of authority for an unpaid adviser in a major cabinet department handling critical national security matters, including immigration enforcement, border security, and disaster response.
The leadership transition at DHS comes at a turbulent time for the agency, which has faced multiple controversies during Noem’s tenure. These include the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal officers in Minneapolis, disputes over resource allocation for disaster relief, and intense congressional backlash over a $220 million advertising contract that prominently featured Noem herself. Critics alleged mismanagement and questioned whether the contract had received proper White House approval, with Trump reportedly expressing frustration that Noem had misrepresented his involvement.
Compounding these policy and operational issues were persistent rumors of a personal relationship between Noem and Lewandowski. Speculation about an extramarital affair has circulated in Washington for several years, dating back to Noem’s time as governor of South Dakota. Both Noem and Lewandowski have repeatedly denied any romantic involvement, describing the claims as baseless gossip. Noem’s husband, Bryon Noem, with whom she shares three children, has been present during some of the public scrutiny, including a congressional hearing last week.
The rumors intensified during Noem’s time at DHS. Reports noted that the pair had traveled together on numerous official trips to countries including Argentina, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Poland, and Italy. Additional details emerged about a luxury DHS aircraft reportedly equipped with a private bedroom, which fueled further speculation. Sources also claimed Lewandowski had been seen coming and going from Noem’s Washington, D.C., residence, and some individuals familiar with the situation suggested he was residing with her. Lewandowski has been married to Alison Hardy since 2005.
The personal allegations reached a boiling point during recent congressional hearings. On Wednesday, before the House Judiciary Committee, Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove directly asked Noem whether she had engaged in “sexual relations” with Lewandowski during her tenure. Noem sharply rebuked the question as “tabloid garbage” and refused to engage in further detail, criticizing the line of inquiry as inappropriate. Her husband was present in the room during the exchange. The following day, Trump announced her removal.
Multiple sources close to the White House indicated that Noem’s handling of the questioning—combined with broader frustrations over the ad contract and agency performance—proved to be the “final straw” for the president. One insider described Trump as being “mad as a murder hornet” after the hearings. When asked by a reporter why Trump had reassigned Noem, Lewandowski declined to speculate, stating, “I would never try to assume to get in the mind of President Trump. I think he has his reasons for everything he does, and we have seen enormous success from his leadership at the White House.”
Regarding his own status at DHS, Lewandowski was noncommittal in comments to the New York Post: “I haven’t made that decision.” A separate White House official was more blunt, remarking, “Don’t know who would want him.” Reports now confirm that Lewandowski has left or is in the process of leaving the department following Noem’s ouster, with the incoming leadership under Mullin expected to implement changes in personnel aligned with the new secretary’s vision. Some accounts suggest Lewandowski may have sought an exit amid the turmoil.
The episode highlights the complex interplay of loyalty, personal dynamics, and professional accountability in Trump’s orbit. Lewandowski’s career with Trump has been marked by ups and downs; he was famously fired as the president’s 2016 campaign manager but later regained favor and played roles in subsequent efforts. Observers note that loyalty has long been a currency in Trump world, and some sources predict Lewandowski will eventually find his way back into the fold despite the current setback. “Corey will find a way back into Trump world,” one source told the Post.
Noem’s departure marks the first major Cabinet-level change of Trump’s second term. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter and businessman known for his combative style in Senate hearings, is seen as a more reliable MAGA-aligned figure to steady the department. His nomination requires Senate confirmation, but given Republican control, it is widely expected to succeed. Mullin has already begun signaling a review of ongoing operations and personnel choices made under the previous leadership.
As the transition unfolds, questions linger about the full scope of Lewandowski’s influence at DHS and whether any formal inquiries into contracting decisions or other matters will continue. Democratic lawmakers have launched probes into potential conflicts of interest, including allegations that Lewandowski sought personal benefits from contractors. Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied any impropriety.
The saga underscores the challenges of governing at the intersection of high-stakes policy, intense political scrutiny, and personal lives played out in the public eye. For now, DHS enters a period of change as it continues to pursue the administration’s ambitious agenda on border security and homeland protection under new leadership. Noem’s shift to a special envoy role keeps her within the broader Trump administration orbit, while Lewandowski’s next chapter remains uncertain—though history suggests resilience in the face of setbacks has been a hallmark of his career.
