Ousted ex-Homeland Security boss Kristi Noem made her first appearance in her new job after she was booted from the high-profile role.
Shortly after being removed from the role, President Trump appointed her special envoy for Shield of the Americas — a program meant to fight drug trafficking, organized crime and illegal immigration in the Western Hemisphere.
However, in Noem’s first public appearance since being thrust into the role, many are wondering why she was spotted with ex-DHS employee Corey Lewandowski.
Corey Lewandowski is touring Latin America with Kristi Noem, but his government service is over, four sources tell @Emilylgoodin and mehttps://t.co/pbNai84DUF
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) March 25, 2026
Earlier this week, Noem and Lewandowski sat side-by-side across from Guyanese President Irfaan Ali during a meeting in the South American country.
Her appearance with Lewandowski came just weeks after she was grilled over a supposed affair with him in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Noem avoided questions about the affair as her husband sat behind her at that hearing.
However, Noem didn’t deny an affair with Lewandowski when she was asked under oath during dramatic testimony before Congress.
The shocking exchange about her sex life derailed the initial testimony as Noem sat for questions before the House Judiciary Committee.
Her husband, Bryon, joined her in Congress for a second day and sat behind his wife as lawmakers hit her with questions.
“Have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?” Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) asked Noem.
“I am shocked that we’re going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today,” Noem said in response. “I would tell you is that he is a special government employee who works for the White House. There are thousands of them in the federal government.”
Lewandowski was an unpaid special government employee at DHS, but would introduce himself as her chief of staff and reportedly wielded major power within the agency.
He also served as a “volunteer” adviser to Noem when she was governor of South Dakota.
Noem married Bryon Noem in 1992 in South Dakota. They have three children. Bryon Noem runs an insurance company in Bryant, South Dakota.
Lewandowski has been married to Alison Hardy since 2005.