Overview

• The White House counsel issued government-wide guidance on July 3 about the 130-day cap for special government employees and has started monitoring Lewandowski’s DHS attendance.
• Department of Homeland Security records confirm he logged only 69 workdays since his late January hire, leaving 61 days available under the annual limit.
• Four administration officials allege he’s evaded tracking by avoiding badge swipes and using personal communications instead of government systems.
• His status as an unpaid adviser and close association with Secretary Noem led President Trump to reject a formal chief-of-staff appointment and keep him as an SGE.
• Ethics observers warn that undercounting days and gaps in record-keeping could prompt formal inquiries into conflicts of interest and policy violations.