WASHINGTON D.C. — Corey Lewandowski is widely expected to leave his advisory role at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following President Donald Trump’s decision to reassign Kristi Noem from her position as Secretary. The administration has reportedly nominated Markwayne Mullin to step in as the department’s next secretary, signaling a broader leadership transition at the agency.
Lewandowski’s Unconventional Role at DHS During Noem’s tenure, Lewandowski operated as a highly influential figure within the department despite lacking a formal, Senate-confirmed title.
Employment Status: He served as an unpaid “special government employee” (SGE), a federal designation that legally limits individuals to working no more than 130 days within a 365-day period.
Scope of Influence: Despite this informal status, officials and observers described Lewandowski as acting as a de facto chief of staff. Reports indicate he was heavily involved in internal management decisions and personnel matters across the department.
Contract Scrutiny: His level of authority recently drew intense scrutiny from lawmakers. During a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, Noem testified that Lewandowski did not have the authority to approve departmental contracts. However, several lawmakers disputed this characterization, citing internal documents and reports suggesting he played a direct role in certain procurement and decision-making processes.
Congressional Inquiries and Personal Allegations The professional scrutiny surrounding Lewandowski has been compounded by ongoing, public allegations of a romantic relationship between him and Noem, both of whom are married to other people.
Testimony Under Oath: During a follow-up congressional hearing on Wednesday, Democratic lawmakers questioned Noem under oath regarding the nature of her relationship with Lewandowski. Noem criticized the line of questioning as inappropriate and declined to engage in detail, neither confirming nor explicitly denying a romantic relationship.
Official Travel and Incidents: Scrutiny has also extended to their official travel. The two have traveled together extensively on official government business to countries including Argentina, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Poland, and Italy. Related reporting also highlighted an internal DHS incident involving a U.S. Coast Guard pilot who was temporarily dismissed—and later reinstated to complete a return flight—after a personal item belonging to a romantic partner was discovered on an official flight.
Current Status: Individuals familiar with the situation have recently told the New York Post that Lewandowski is believed to currently be residing with Noem.
Responses to the Transition When asked by reporters about the reasons behind Noem’s reassignment and whether her congressional testimony played a role, Lewandowski declined to speculate.
“I would never try to assume to get in the mind of President Trump. I think he has his reasons for everything he does,” Lewandowski stated, adding that he had no insight into the specific factors driving the dismissal. Regarding his own future at DHS, he remained noncommittal, stating, “I haven’t made that decision.”
While his immediate future at the agency remains uncertain, sources familiar with the Trump administration’s dynamics noted Lewandowski’s historical ability to navigate personnel shifts, pointing to his return to the President’s inner circle after being dismissed as campaign manager in 2016.