US Department of Homeland Security says Lewandowski has left after Noem's firing - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxNa0ZxaFJEaFd3SnhUMHk2VUlhTWVmOGs0NlMxTGV6anFrNjFfZHhISDA3X3hYblluM0VyeXNfQzEyTDhERzFBU2F2bUlaaHZNdmhPYm4yLVFOUzJCdUctWEVHaHRQM0dLZGVwVDdkREJJV1FvMlJHdk9mZ3JLWlFKMzRoMXptdGpXMklnRTk3SVA4VWJqeFk0ZnJfYk9HUHBEaXdUSS1TdHFuUl8zYXRnQ2pVekZESk5xb3ZZbjBR?oc=5" target="_blank">US Department of Homeland Security says Lewandowski has left after Noem's firing</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Kristi Noem, recently ousted as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, attempted to launch a controversial border wall project to deflect from a series of scandals. She proposed constructing 500 miles of wall near Big Bend National Park in Texas—a plan not supported by Border Patrol, which preferred surveillance technology over physical barriers. The proposal coincided with the fatal shooting of Renee Good by federal agents, one of two high-profile incidents that intensified scrutiny of Noem’s leadership.

Corey Lewandowski was dismissed from his role in the Trump administration after being photographed on a tropical getaway in Guyana with Kristi Noem, the former Secretary of Homeland Security and now Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. The trip was part of a five-country tour that began during Noem's tenure at DHS, and the use of a luxury Boeing 737 for transport raised further scrutiny. The State Department clarified it was not an official trip, and Lewandowski was not part of its personnel.

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform has launched a corruption inquiry into Corey Lewandowski, a former special government employee at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during Kristi Noem’s leadership. NBC News reported allegations that Lewandowski attempted a “pay-to-play” scheme involving kickbacks tied to DHS contracts with private prison contractor GEO Group, which holds over $1 billion in government contracts. Lewandowski allegedly retaliated against the company when they refused to place him on a retainer. Democrats in Congress are requesting documents from GEO Group related to Lewandowski’s interactions, citing potential law and ethics violations.

A recent report reveals that Corey Lewandowski, a close aide and alleged romantic partner of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, wielded significant and possibly inappropriate influence within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Despite being hired as a part-time special government employee, Lewandowski accessed classified briefings, influenced contracts, and made key personnel decisions, including promoting Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who later stepped down after controversial immigration crackdowns. Sources claim Lewandowski abused his authority by arbitrarily placing employees on leave and even firing a U.S. Coast Guard pilot over a minor incident. He is also accused of attempting to secure personal financial gains by allegedly soliciting payments from private prison company GEO Group in exchange for supporting government contract renewals. Further allegations suggest Lewandowski benefited from a $220 million anti-immigration ad campaign featuring Noem. Both Lewandowski and his lawyer have denied all wrongdoing, citing a lack of evidence. The nature of his relationship with Noem—described as a widely known secret—has sparked bipartisan concern, particularly amid her denial of the affair during a congressional hearing and her subsequent backlash against critics.

Ron Vitiello, a former senior adviser at Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has been named acting deputy commissioner following the removal of Joseph Mazzara, a controversial pick associated with Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski. Mazzara, lacking a law enforcement background, was reportedly ousted amid internal upheaval only months after being appointed. His replacement, Vitiello, presents an ironic twist—former President Donald Trump had publicly discarded him from a prior nomination for not being "tough enough" on immigration, under pressure from adviser Stephen Miller. Vitiello previously served as Border Patrol chief and acting ICE director but faced scrutiny over controversial social media posts. After a stint in the private sector, he returned to CBP in 2025. He now reenters a troubled agency, still grappling with the aftermath of the Noem-Lewandowski staff purge that displaced over a dozen senior officials. Vitiello will serve under Rodney Scott, who himself faces a whistleblower complaint. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security is under strain from a funding standoff, with agents working unpaid and political tensions high over immigration policies and voter ID legislation.