Corey Lewandowski Departs Government After Last Taxpayer-Funded Trip with Kristi Noem

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 27, 2026 2:00 AM ET

Corey Lewandowski Departs Government After Last Taxpayer-Funded Trip with Kristi Noem

Corey Lewandowski departs government amid questions over a taxpayer-funded trip with Kristi Noem, four sources told Filmogaz.com. He will not join Noem at the State Department.

Departure and timeline

Sources said the decision came this week. The choice was finalized either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Those dates coincided with photos released by Guyana’s government. The images showed Lewandowski traveling with Noem on an anti-crime initiative visit.

Personnel and roles

Noem was replaced as homeland security secretary by Markwayne Mullin, who was Senate-confirmed. She now serves as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas initiative.

Under the new arrangement, Noem will report to Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau. Lewandowski will not serve in that State Department chain of command.

Transfers and staff moves

Reports indicated Noem sought permission to move other DHS subordinates to State. Ten DHS staffers were cleared to transfer with her.

Reasons for exit

Two sources said President Trump pushed for Lewandowski’s removal. The move followed concerns over a $220 million ad campaign that featured Noem.

Another source said Lewandowski himself chose to step away. He was reportedly uninterested in working under the State Department hierarchy.

Travel and public appearances

Noem’s Latin America trip began while she still held the DHS post. Stops included the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guyana, and an expected final stop in Ecuador.

Lewandowski appeared in photos from the Guyana stop. He was present for meetings with President Irfaan Ali and energy officials.

Ethics and oversight

While serving as Noem’s unpaid de facto chief of staff, Lewandowski managed staffing and contracting decisions. That role drew conflict of interest allegations.

The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general opened an inquiry into those practices. Critics noted his special government employee status allowed limited financial disclosures.

Rules and controversies

The special government employee appointment is supposed to last 130 days per calendar year. Sources said Lewandowski extended his presence into 2025 and 2026 by riding in Noem’s motorcade.

They also reported he sometimes stayed overnight at a nearby government-owned residence. That arrangement raised questions about adherence to disclosure rules.