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9h ago

Corey Lewandowski Emerges as De Facto Second-in-Command at DHS

His near-unilateral staffing control has created a climate of fear among career DHS officials.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, second from right, meets with Chilean Minister of Public Security Luis Cordero, left, at the Security Ministry on July 30, in Santiago, Chile. Corey Lewandowski is seen next to Noem.
Corey Lewandowski and Kristi Noem.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, right, meets with President of Costa Rica Rodrigo Chaves Robles, left, at the Casa Presidencial on June 25 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Corey Lewandowski, center, joined the meeting.
Corey Lewandowski outside Trump Force One as Trump campaigns in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in October 2024.

Overview

  • Lewandowski has taken on duties akin to a chief of staff, directing hiring, policy and operational decisions without an official title.
  • Inside DHS, career employees report pervasive anxiety as he leverages his influence to sideline or remove staff viewed as unsupportive.
  • After President Trump blocked his formal DHS appointment in February, Lewandowski continued serving as a special government employee adviser.
  • He has joined Secretary Kristi Noem on recent diplomatic missions in Argentina, Chile and Ecuador, participating in high-level security talks.
  • His ascent underscores the deepening politicization of the department and heightens scrutiny of the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.