Kristi Noem faces relationship allegations with Corey Lewandowski
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was asked about her relationship with Corey Levandowski before the House Judiciary Committee.
Corey Lewandowski, former aide to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, no longer works for the Department of Homeland Security, a department spokesperson announced on March 28.
A DHS spokeswoman said Lewandowski “no longer serves DHS,” but did not provide further details. Lewandowski was an unpaid advisor to Noem. He previously served as President Donald Trump’s campaign manager during the 2016 election.
Lewandowski did not respond to requests for comment. The department’s confirmation of his resignation was first reported by Politico.
President Trump fired Noem earlier this month, saying she would become special envoy for a new “Shield of the Americas” initiative to advance his security policy in the Western Hemisphere. Former U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin then replaced Noem as DHS secretary, and the Senate confirmed him on March 24.
The close relationship between Lewandowski and Noem drew attention. During a Congressional hearing earlier this month, Democratic lawmakers directly asked Noem whether she had a sexual relationship with Lewandowski, but Noem dismissed the question as “tabloid trash.”
Lewandowski was seen with Noem in a photo released by the U.S. Embassy in Guyana on March 25, which showed Lewandowski by her side during a meeting with Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali.
In her new role, Noem will report to Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. State Department officials told Reuters earlier this week that Lewandowski declined to explain why he was joining Noem on the trip, but said he had no intention of joining the department in any capacity.
Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston. Editing: Sergio Non, Rod Nickel
