President Donald Trump Dodges Questions About Alleged Relationship Between DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski in Washington

President Donald Trump found himself fielding questions on Monday night about an ongoing controversy at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) involving Secretary Kristi Noem and her subordinate Corey Lewandowski.

The matter, first reported by the Daily Mail in September 2023, alleges an extramarital relationship between the two officials — claims that both Noem and Lewandowski continue to deny.

On board Air Force One, a reporter asked Trump whether the alleged relationship created a “bad look” for the department and whether Noem’s job was in jeopardy.

Rather than addressing the question directly, Trump said, “I don’t know about that.

I mean, I haven’t heard that. I’ll find out about it.

But I have not heard that,” before pivoting to a separate topic about the State of the Union address and the ongoing government shutdown.

Trump’s Awareness of the Rumors

Despite his deflection, reports suggest Trump is aware of the rumors surrounding Noem and Lewandowski.

A recent Wall Street Journal article indicated the president rejected a plan for Lewandowski to serve officially as Noem’s chief of staff due to concerns about the alleged affair.

Instead, Lewandowski currently works at DHS as a special government employee, avoiding an official reporting line under Noem.

Trump’s awareness of the situation isn’t new.

Journalist Alex Isenstadt, in his 2024 campaign book Revenge, wrote that the president was “aware of the scuttlebutt” and referred to Noem as Lewandowski’s “girlfriend,” often raising a mischievous eyebrow when the topic arose.

According to the book, Trump’s aides worried that selecting Noem as a running mate in 2024 would create “one hell of a distraction” due to her relationship with Lewandowski.

Noem and Lewandowski Under Scrutiny

Kristi Noem has recently faced criticism for actions within DHS, including immigration enforcement raids that resulted in the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In addition, reports have emerged of internal chaos within the department, with a firing spree attributed to Noem and Lewandowski.

One incident cited in the Journal involved a Coast Guard pilot being dismissed and told to take a commercial flight home after a logistics mishap with Noem’s plane.

Other controversies include Lewandowski allegedly attempting to secure a federally approved gun and making it a condition for candidates being considered for leadership positions at ICE.

The Political Context

Corey Lewandowski is a familiar figure in Trump circles, having served as Trump’s campaign manager in 2016 before being fired in June of that election year.

He briefly returned to the campaign for 2024, though lead advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita remained in charge.

His continued proximity to Trump underscores the influence he retains within the administration, despite controversies surrounding both him and Noem.

Meanwhile, Noem has faced additional public scrutiny, including revelations in her memoir about personal incidents that drew criticism, and her department’s recent operational decisions.

Together, their professional and personal dynamics have kept DHS in the media spotlight.

What’s Next?

The unfolding situation raises questions about internal governance at DHS, potential political consequences for Noem and Lewandowski, and whether Trump will publicly act to address the controversy.

Observers will be watching closely to see if the President eventually reassesses Noem’s tenure or Lewandowski’s role, particularly as media scrutiny continues and political opponents weigh in.

Summary

President Donald Trump dodged direct questions about the alleged extramarital relationship between DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski during a Monday press encounter.

The president has reportedly been aware of the rumors for years, which previously influenced his decision not to pick Noem as a 2024 running mate.

Meanwhile, both Noem and Lewandowski have been criticized for controversial actions within DHS, including a firing spree and questionable enforcement operations.

As scrutiny intensifies, the question remains whether Trump will take any decisive action regarding their positions.