DHS Secretary's Blanket Dispute Leads to Pilot's Brief Dismissal
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reportedly orchestrated the firing of a US Coast Guard pilot after her blanket was not transferred during an aircraft switch, only for the pilot to be hastily reinstated when officials realized no alternative aviator was available. According to sources familiar with the incident who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, the former South Dakota governor was forced to change planes due to a maintenance issue, but her blanket remained on the original aircraft.
Chaotic Reversal and Broader Scrutiny
Noem allegedly instructed her special advisor, Corey Lewandowski, to dismiss the pilot, who was then told to take a commercial flight home upon reaching the destination. However, when staffers discovered there was nobody else qualified to operate the plane, the unidentified pilot was immediately brought back. This shocking episode emerges as Noem and Lewandowski face intensified examination within the Trump administration over their handling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where two civilians, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot.
Administration insiders now assert that Noem and Lewandowski have repeatedly exceeded their authority, having terminated or demoted approximately 80 percent of the career ICE field leadership that was in position when Trump began his second term. Concerns about their roles initially surfaced when Lewandowski requested to become Noem's chief of staff, a proposal President Trump rejected amid rumors of an affair between the two.
Personal Entanglements and Questionable Conduct
Lewandowski, Trump's former campaign manager, was captured in exclusive Daily Mail photographs last year frequently walking between his apartment and Noem's residence across the street. Both individuals are married to other people but deny any romantic involvement. Noem subsequently moved into a government-owned waterfront house on a military base in Washington, typically reserved for the US Coast Guard leader, which falls under DHS jurisdiction during peacetime.
A DHS spokesperson claimed to the Journal that Noem relocated to the property for enhanced security and pays rent, adding that the department "doesn't waste time with salacious, baseless gossip" regarding the alleged affair. Lewandowski currently serves as a "special government employee," a role permitting private sector workers to advise the government without sacrificing external salaries or investments.
Expansive Influence and Contract Controversies
Federal law limits special government employees to 130 days of work annually, but administration sources indicate Lewandowski has assumed a far broader role at DHS, directing personnel, managing contracts, and handling classified information. He even reportedly uses the title "chief advisor to the secretary" in official communications. His extensive involvement prompted the White House Counsel's Office to investigate potential power abuses last year, though no action resulted, and his status was renewed for this year.
Alongside Noem, Lewandowski has helped consolidate power within DHS. They instituted a new approval process for any expenditure exceeding $100,000, which has delayed contracts across the department despite increased funding from Trump's legislative initiatives. Consequently, top officials in Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's office had to personally contact DHS to secure disaster aid approval, while Florida officials struggled for months to obtain reimbursement for constructing the notorious "Alligator Alcatraz" ICE detention center.
Border Wall Mismanagement and Internal Conflicts
Rodney Scott, commissioner of US Customs and Border Patrol, informed administration officials that Noem and Lewandowski mishandled border wall construction. One bulk steel contract reportedly languished on Noem's desk from December until February 10, during which steel prices surged by over $100 million. A senior administration official claims Noem blamed Scott for the delays in a discussion with Trump earlier this year.
Scott grew so frustrated that he allegedly told Lewandowski he would no longer accept orders after Lewandowski's 130-day limit expired. Noem and Lewandowski are said to have retaliated by reassigning Scott's chief of staff and pressuring his deputy to resign, replacing both with allies. Scott interpreted this as an attempt to force him out, as Noem cannot directly fire a Senate-confirmed official.
ICE Tensions and Political Maneuvering
Noem and Lewandowski also clashed with ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons. They pushed for ICE to post arrest videos but later berated Lyons after footage emerged from Minnesota showing federal officers engaging with protesters following Pretti's death. They then demanded Lyons devise a new plan for more targeted enforcement, an approach he had long advocated.
Amid the fallout from the Minneapolis raids, Noem and Lewandowski are striving to strengthen their relationship with President Trump. They secured an Oval Office meeting just two days after the Pretti shooting, and Noem's team scheduled press conferences on non-immigration topics. She also approved $2.2 billion in emergency funding in late January after previously criticizing FEMA, with DHS issuing a press release praising her for unlocking the money.
Trump's Continued Support Despite Inner Circle Pressure
Thus far, Trump has resisted calls from his inner circle to dismiss Noem and Lewandowski, publicly stating he has no plans to remove her. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Journal that the president has "full confidence in Noem's leadership," emphasizing their achievements in border security. The DHS spokesperson added that Noem serves at the president's pleasure and has saved billions by eliminating inefficiencies, labeling her efforts a "roaring success." The Daily Mail has also sought comment from the White House and DHS.
