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Corey Lewandowski Exerts De Facto Control Over U.S. Homeland Security

Sources say his rise has transformed personnel decisions at the agency.

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 operates as DHS’s de facto chief of staff, wielding near-singular authority to hire and fire and instilling widespread fear among career officials.
  • President Trump vetoed his formal appointment in February over optics concerns but retained him as a special government employee.
  • Since July, Secretary Kristi Noem, under Lewandowski’s direction, has pursued loyalty purges of career staff deemed insufficiently supportive.
  • He has accompanied Noem on recent missions to Argentina, Chile and Ecuador, directly engaging in bilateral security and immigration talks.
  • Under his influence, DHS has intensified mass deportations, masked ICE raids, foreign detention facilities and a detention camp in the Florida Everglades.