Corey Lewandowski, known for managing Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, has ended his role as an unpaid adviser to Kristi Noem, the former Homeland Security Secretary, according to a departmental statement released on Friday.
The announcement confirmed Lewandowski’s departure from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) but did not outline any future government positions for him. This comes after he was seen with Noem during her official visit to Guyana, as captured in photos from the U.S. Embassy there.
“Mr. Lewandowski no longer has a role at DHS,” the statement clarified.
Lewandowski’s status at DHS has been a topic of speculation, particularly following Noem’s appointment as a special envoy for Western Hemisphere security issues. His presence in Guyana photos further fueled discussions.
Throughout Noem’s challenging time leading the department, Lewandowski’s involvement at DHS was controversial, as the department was at the forefront of the administration’s strict immigration enforcement strategies.
Initially, Lewandowski started advising Noem when she was the governor of South Dakota and advocated for her appointment as DHS chief by President Trump. His influence grew significantly after she joined the Cabinet.
Lewandowski joined the Trump administration in the capacity of a “special government employee,” which raised questions about his work duration at the agency. U.S. law restricts temporary government employees to 130 unpaid workdays annually, yet he had been at DHS since Noem began her role in February 2025.
He did not respond to previous inquiries regarding his continued involvement in government roles. The White House also did not immediately comment on his employment status on Friday.
Despite his unofficial status, Lewandowski wielded significant power, including the ability to veto contracts over $100,000 and make other important decisions. An anonymous administration official disclosed to POLITICO that Lewandowski faced criticism over DHS’s recent short-lived decision to close TSA PreCheck, a move intended to compel Democrats to fund the department, which has been closed since February due to budget disputes.
This month, Noem declined to answer House Democrats’ questions about her relationship with Lewandowski, amid media reports of an alleged affair.
Lewandowski, credited for Trump’s victory in the New Hampshire primary during the 2016 campaign, saw his reputation diminish after being accused of physically confronting a female reporter. He was subsequently removed following a power struggle with campaign chair Paul Manafort. Lewandowski denied any wrongdoing in that incident.
Despite past challenges, Lewandowski and Trump have maintained their relationship. Trump had briefly appointed him as a senior adviser for the 2024 presidential campaign, though he was reassigned to a surrogate role by October due to Trump’s dissatisfaction.
