President Trump Dodges Inquiries on Noem and Lewandowski's Controversial DHS Relationship
On Monday evening, while aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump was directly questioned by a reporter regarding the widely reported "close personal relationship" between Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her subordinate, Corey Lewandowski. The journalist referenced a recent Wall Street Journal article which claimed the pair "do little to hide their relationship" within the department, asking if this situation presented a "bad look" for the administration.
Trump's Evasive Response and Unanswered Questions
When pressed about how long Noem would remain in her position leading DHS, President Trump provided a notably non-committal reply. "I don't know about that. I mean, I haven't heard that," he stated. "I'll find out about it. But I have not heard that." The President then swiftly pivoted to a separate question concerning his State of the Union address, effectively avoiding any substantive answer on Noem's job security.
Despite his public claims of ignorance, substantial evidence indicates President Trump is, at minimum, aware of the persistent rumours surrounding Noem and Lewandowski. According to the Wall Street Journal's reporting, Trump previously rejected a proposal for Lewandowski to officially serve as Noem's chief of staff, a decision reportedly influenced by media coverage of their alleged affair.
Background of the Alleged Affair and Political Repercussions
The Daily Mail initially broke news of the alleged extramarital affair in September 2023, a claim both Noem and Lewandowski, who are each married to other partners, continue to deny. In journalist Alex Isenstadt's 2024 campaign book, Revenge, it is revealed that Trump was "aware of the scuttlebutt" surrounding the relationship. This awareness allegedly dissuaded him from selecting Noem, then the Governor of South Dakota, as his vice-presidential running mate.
Isenstadt wrote that Trump would refer to Noem as Lewandowski's "girlfriend" and raise an eyebrow mischievously when the topic arose. The author also noted that Trump's aides believed selecting Noem would make her relationship with Lewandowski "one hell of a distraction." Noem's subsequent memoir revelation about shooting her dog, Cricket, further complicated her political standing.
Recent Turmoil and Management Issues at DHS
In recent weeks, Secretary Noem has faced intense criticism following DHS officials killing two American citizens during immigration raids in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Additionally, she and Lewandowski have been blamed for causing significant chaos within the department, embarking on a firing spree that has disrupted operations.
One particularly notable incident, detailed in the Journal's report, involved a Coast Guard pilot who was initially fired and instructed to take a commercial flight home. This drastic action occurred because Noem's blanket was not transferred to a new aircraft after she was forced to switch planes due to a maintenance issue.
Further controversy emerged in December when the Daily Mail reported that Lewandowski attempted to obtain a federally approved firearm, even making it a litmus test for a candidate being considered for ICE director. Despite these mounting scandals and management concerns, President Trump has shown no public inclination to dismiss either Noem or Lewandowski from their roles.
Corey Lewandowski, who served as Trump's original 2016 campaign manager before being fired in June of that year, has remained within the President's orbit. He was briefly rehired during the 2024 campaign, although lead advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita retained primary control. Currently, Lewandowski works for DHS as a special government employee, a position that continues to fuel speculation and scrutiny amid the ongoing allegations.
