The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Saturday that Corey Lewandowski has departed the agency following the dismissal of former Secretary Kristi Noem.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed that Lewandowski “no longer has a role at DHS” but declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his exit. Lewandowski had served as an unpaid advisor to Noem and previously managed Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Attempts to reach Lewandowski for comment were unsuccessful. News outlet Politico was first to report the agency’s confirmation of his departure.
Earlier this month, Trump dismissed Noem from her position, subsequently appointing her as special envoy for a newly created “Shield of the Americas” program designed to advance his administration’s security agenda throughout the Western Hemisphere. Former U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin has taken over as DHS Secretary after receiving Senate confirmation this past Tuesday.
The professional relationship between Lewandowski and Noem had attracted attention from lawmakers. During a recent congressional hearing, a Democratic representative directly questioned Noem about whether she maintained a romantic relationship with Lewandowski. Noem rejected the inquiry, calling it “tabloid garbage.”
Recent photographs from the U.S. embassy in Guyana, released Wednesday, showed Lewandowski accompanying Noem during official meetings with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali.
In her current diplomatic position, Noem answers to Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. When asked earlier this week about Lewandowski’s presence during Noem’s Guyana visit, a State Department representative declined to provide details but confirmed he would not be joining the State Department staff.
