Lewandowski Expected To Depart DHS After Noem Reassignment

A leadership shake-up at the Department of Homeland Security is expected to lead to the departure of longtime Trump ally Corey Lewandowski following President Donald J. Trump’s decision to remove Kristi Noem from her post as DHS secretary.

President Trump announced Thursday that he is nominating Senator Markwayne Mullin to take over leadership of the department, launching a transition at one of the federal government’s most critical national security agencies.

Lewandowski, who has been serving as an unpaid special government employee at DHS, is widely expected to step aside as part of the change. Under federal rules, individuals in that designation are typically limited to 130 working days within a 365-day period.

Despite holding no Senate-confirmed title, Lewandowski was widely regarded as a powerful figure within the department during Noem’s tenure. Officials and observers frequently described him as operating in a role similar to that of a chief of staff, participating in key internal management and personnel decisions.

His influence inside DHS drew scrutiny from lawmakers, particularly because he did not hold a formal leadership role approved by Congress.

Speculation surrounding Lewandowski’s relationship with Noem has also circulated in Washington for several years. Rumors intensified during President Trump’s second term that the two may have been romantically involved, though neither Noem nor Lewandowski has publicly confirmed the allegations.

The topic resurfaced during a congressional hearing last week when Noem was questioned about the rumors while her husband was present in the room.

When asked this week about President Trump’s decision to reassign Noem, Lewandowski declined to speculate on the president’s reasoning.

“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.”

Lewandowski was similarly noncommittal when asked about his own future at DHS.

“I haven’t made that decision,” he told the New York Post.

One White House official, however, was less diplomatic when discussing Lewandowski’s prospects, telling The Post: “Don’t know who would want him.”

Others noted Lewandowski’s long history with President Trump and his ability to remain within the president’s orbit even after setbacks. Lewandowski famously served as Trump’s 2016 campaign manager before being dismissed during the race.

“Corey will find a way back into Trump world,” a source familiar with the situation told The Post.

Reports about a potential relationship between Noem and Lewandowski date back several years, including to her time serving as governor of South Dakota.

According to reporting published in 2023, sources told the New York Post that Noem’s husband, Bryon Noem, had moved out of the governor’s residence roughly two years earlier.

The pair have also traveled together on multiple international trips in recent years, including visits to Argentina, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Poland, and Italy.

Lewandowski has been married to Alison Hardy since 2005, according to the report.

Separate reporting also described an incident involving a U.S. Coast Guard pilot who was initially dismissed after a personal item belonging to a romantic partner was reportedly discovered on a government flight used by officials. The pilot was later reinstated after it was determined he was needed to complete the return trip.

Sources familiar with the situation have said Lewandowski is believed to currently be residing with Noem. She and her husband share three children.

During Noem’s time at DHS, Lewandowski was widely viewed as having significant influence over internal operations, including matters involving contracts and personnel decisions.

That influence became a focal point during congressional oversight hearings. Lewandowski served only as a special government employee rather than a Senate-confirmed official, raising questions among lawmakers about the extent of his authority.

While testifying before a Senate committee Tuesday, Noem stated that Lewandowski did not approve departmental contracts. Some lawmakers challenged that claim, pointing to reports and documents suggesting he may have played a role in certain decisions.

The issue resurfaced again Wednesday when Democratic lawmakers pressed Noem under oath about her personal relationship with Lewandowski.

Noem criticized the line of questioning and declined to discuss the allegations in detail, though she did not directly address whether the relationship was romantic.

When asked if Noem’s responses during the congressional hearings played any role in President Trump’s decision to remove her, Lewandowski again declined to speculate.

“You’re asking me to speculate on things that I have no insight into.”

With Senator Mullin now nominated to lead DHS, the department is expected to undergo a significant leadership transition as the Trump administration continues shaping its national security agenda during the president’s second term.