Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Corey Lewandowski, the former manager of Trump’s campaign, seem to have developed a close relationship, despite concerns from the White House.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday night, Lewandowski has taken on a role as a ‘special government employee’ working under Noem at the Department of Homeland Security.
Initially, Lewandowski was interested in being appointed as Noem’s chief of staff. However, President Donald Trump and his key advisors were said to have hesitations about the potential perception issues that could arise from such an arrangement.
The president and Lewandowski settled on him becoming a special government employee to DHS so the pair would be more removed – at least on paper – the Journal wrote.
DailyMail.com exclusively reported in 2023 that Noem and Lewandowski were engaged in a years-long clandestine romantic relationship that began in 2019.
Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied the relationship to DailyMail.com and remain married to their respective partners.
At the same time, they were inseparable during Trump’s 2024 campaign, with Axios’ Alex Isenstadt writing in his book, Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power, that Noem’s relationship with Lewandowski was sullying her chances of becoming Trump’s VP.
‘Trump’s aides knew if Noem was picked, her relationship with Lewandowski would become one hell of a distraction,’ Isenstadt wrote.
That ended up being a non-issue, after Noem revealed in her memoir that she had shot her young dog Cricket.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (second from right) has brought along Corey Lewandowski (right) to the department as a ‘special government employee.’ Lewandowski accompanied her to Colombia last month
Corey Lewandowski is seen walking behind then South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem during the Republican National Convention in August. The Wall Street Journal reported that Lewandowski pushed for her to get the DHS gig after she wasn’t tapped as vice presidential nominee
That controversy was enough to keep Noem off the presidential ticket.
After Noem lost the veepstakes, The Journal revealed that Lewandowski played a role in helping Noem get picked to run DHS.
It was a role viewed as central to the president’s agenda, helping Noem shore up her immigration bonafides – which could help the former South Dakota governor if she were to launch a White House bid in 2028.
Since Noem took over DHS, Lewandowski continued to be at her side – often the only person to accompany Noem to meetings, The Journal report said.
He’s traveled with Noem to El Salvador, Mexico and Colombia, with some employees now referring to him as the de facto chief of staff or even the ‘shadow secretary,’ the report said.
The actual position of chief of staff remains empty.
During a tour of the tech company Palantir last month, Lewandowski pushed to fire the immigration official leading the tour because he turned his back on Noem briefly while answering a question from another member of the group, The Journal said.
Lewandowski argued it was grounds for dismissal.
Corey Lewandowski (right) is seen walking alongside DHS Secretary Kristi Noem (center right) during her visit to Mexico City, Mexico in late Mach. Noem is speaking with Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente (center left)
Corey Lewandowski (second from left) sits in a meeting with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem (center) with the National Police’s Counter Organized Crime Group at the Colombian National Police Directorate in Bogota, Colombia in late March
DailyMail.com reported in 2023 that Kristi Noem (left) and Corey Lewandowski (right) were engaged in a years-long clandestine romantic relationship that began in 2019, which they’ve denied. They’re photographed together at a GOP event in October of that year
Days later, that official was demoted, the newspaper’s sources said.
A spokesperson for DHS denied that the incident ever happened.
‘This is a silly claim and simply not true,’ a spokesperson told DailyMail.com.
The spokesperson also labeled it ‘made-up gossip by low-level leakers who aren’t in the room’ that Lewandowski and Noem’s relationship has rankled White House officials.
The spokesperson also denied that Lewandowski played a role in the selection of Noem for the DHS role.
‘President Trump deserves full credit for the selection of Secretary Noem to carry out this essential mandate of securing the homeland and protecting the American people,’ the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also pushed back on concerns about Lewandowski constantly being at Noem’s side.
‘Again, Mr. Lewandowski is a Special Government Employee who patriotically serves the Trump Administration as a volunteer. His duties naturally include going to meetings,’ the spokesperson said. ‘As the husband of a 9/11 widow, the mission of DHS and securing the homeland is of utmost importance to Mr. Lewandowski.’
As for the rumored affair?
‘This Department doesn’t waste time with salacious, baseless gossip,’ the spokesperson said.
Lewandowski did not respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
