Corey Lewandowski faces new scrutiny over alleged pilot firing tied to Kristi Noem’s blanket and DHS jet use
Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser to the Homeland Security Secretary, is under renewed scrutiny after accounts emerged that he dismissed a U.S. Coast Guard pilot during a government trip over a blanket linked to Kristi Noem—then reinstated the pilot when no alternative was available. The episode has intensified attention on travel practices, costs, and Lewandowski’s status as a special government employee.
Alleged firing after blanket mix-up
Accounts describe a government trip in which Kristi Noem was forced to switch planes due to a maintenance issue. A blanket she had used was not transferred to the second aircraft. In the aftermath, Lewandowski allegedly fired the Coast Guard pilot assigned to the delegation, directing the aviator to return home on a commercial flight. The decision was later reversed when it became clear there was no other pilot available to fly Noem and Lewandowski back.
The description of events has prompted immediate questions inside and outside government about personnel management and judgment under pressure. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, addressing broader concerns about staffing decisions, said Noem has “made personnel decisions to deliver excellence.”
Use of DHS 737 MAX draws cost concerns
The incident surfaced alongside broader scrutiny of a Boeing 737 MAX airliner that has been used for both deportation missions and Cabinet-level travel. The aircraft, initially slated for high-profile removal operations, has also been employed for senior travel itineraries. The department has been described as planning to acquire the plane for roughly $70 million, a figure characterized as about double the combined price of seven additional planes intended for deportations.
Department representatives have maintained that using the 737 MAX for Cabinet-level trips can be less expensive than relying on military aircraft for comparable missions. Internally, some staff have jokingly referred to the plane as a “big, beautiful jet,” a moniker that has only underscored the optics challenge surrounding its mixed use and acquisition cost.
Lewandowski’s work status under the microscope
Separate from the travel flap, Lewandowski’s standing as a special government employee has drawn attention. That designation allows an individual to serve up to 130 days per year without the disclosure obligations that accompany full-time government positions. Department officials have maintained that Lewandowski has not exceeded that limit.
Even so, current and former administration officials have voiced concerns that his activity may surpass the cap. Allegations have also circulated that he has, at times, entered government buildings alongside other staff to avoid logging his own badge swipes and has relied on a personal phone for official communications—moves that would reduce the creation of a formal government record. Those assertions have not been publicly substantiated with official findings, and Lewandowski’s representatives have not announced any change to his status.
Personal rumors and firm denials
The scrutiny has been amplified by long-running rumors that Lewandowski and Noem are romantically involved. Both are married, and both have consistently denied any relationship beyond a professional one. The resurfacing of those claims, amid the pilot episode and travel questions, has stoked speculation about influence, access, and decision-making at senior levels of the department.
Ethics experts note that even unproven personal rumors can cast a shadow over personnel and travel decisions, particularly when public resources are involved. The controversy has also refocused attention on the guardrails meant to keep Cabinet travel, aircraft use, and special employee engagements within policy and cost-effective norms.
What to watch next
The blanket episode, the 737 MAX acquisition debate, and the questions over Lewandowski’s timekeeping combine into a broader test of transparency and accountability. Key areas to watch include whether any formal reviews are initiated regarding the pilot incident, whether the department proceeds with the 737 MAX purchase at the characterized price, and whether additional documentation emerges that clarifies Lewandowski’s hours, access, and communications practices.
For now, the department maintains that its aircraft allocations balance mission needs and cost control, and that staffing decisions aim to deliver high performance. The controversy, however, underscores how quickly optics can turn into oversight pressure—especially when high-profile figures, taxpayer-funded travel, and sensitive personnel calls intersect.
