Former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski departs the Department of Homeland Security following Kristi Noem’s removal as secretary, amid questions about her qualifications, allegations of misinformation, and claims that he wielded influence as a “shadow” decision-maker inside the agency.
WASHINGTON | Corey Lewandowski, a longtime adviser to former President Donald Trump, is departing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the removal of former Secretary Kristi Noem, a development that is intensifying scrutiny over leadership, transparency, and political influence inside one of the federal government’s most powerful security agencies.
Lewandowski, who reportedly held no formal role at DHS, had been widely described by critics and some lawmakers as a “shadow leader” within the department. His departure comes amid broader questions about the agency's management and the circumstances surrounding Noem’s tenure as leader.
Critics of Noem’s tenure argued that her background — largely rooted in state-level politics — left her ill-prepared to lead an agency with such complex operational responsibilities. Those concerns resurfaced in recent weeks following contentious congressional testimony and mounting criticism over statements she made regarding policy matters and internal DHS operations.
