Corey Lewandowski is expected to depart the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following President Donald Trumpâs decision Thursday to remove Secretary Kristi Noem from her position and nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin as the departmentâs next leader, according to multiple reports. Lewandowski had been serving at DHS as an unpaid special government employee, a federal designation that typically limits service to 130 working days within a 12-month period. Despite not holding a Senate-confirmed position or formal leadership title, he was widely viewed within the department as a highly influential adviser during Noemâs tenure.
Officials and observers frequently described Lewandowski as operating in a role similar to that of a chief of staff, with involvement in internal management matters, including personnel and operational decisions. His influence drew scrutiny from some lawmakers, who questioned the scope of his authority given his informal status.
Lewandowski declined to speculate about the reasons behind Noemâs reassignment. âI would never try to get in the mind of President Trump,â he said when asked by reporters, adding that the administration has seen âenormous successâ under Trumpâs leadership. Asked about his own future at DHS, Lewandowski said no final decision had been made. âI havenât made that decision,â he told The New York Post. The leadership shift at DHS comes as the Trump administration prepares for a transition within one of the federal governmentâs largest departments.
