Kristi Noem's 'Affair' The Last Straw For Trump Before Firing Her: Here's What She Really Said When Asked About It

US President Donald Trump has announced that Kristi Noem will leave her role as Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), marking the first cabinet-level departure of his second term. The White House confirmed on Thursday that Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin has been nominated to replace her, with the transition expected to take place by 31 March 2026 pending Senate confirmation.

According to the announcement, Noem will move to a newly created diplomatic position as Special Envoy for the 'Shield of the Americas,' a regional security initiative focused on cooperation between the United States and countries across the Western Hemisphere. The transition is expected to take effect by 31 March 2026, subject to Senate confirmation of Mullin.

The decision follows a week of congressional hearings in which Noem faced questioning from lawmakers over DHS spending and several operational matters involving federal law-enforcement agencies. During the hearings, she was also asked about longstanding allegations concerning her relationship with a political adviser.

Denial of Affair Allegations

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Noem whether she had engaged in 'sexual relations' with Corey Lewandowski, a longtime political operative and former campaign manager for Trump. Lewandowski has served as an adviser to Noem in various capacities.

Noem rejected the claim during the hearing, calling the accusation 'tabloid garbage' and accusing lawmakers of spreading false information about conservative women.

Her office has previously denied reports suggesting an extramarital relationship between the two. Lewandowski has also rejected the allegations, describing them in past statements as politically motivated claims.

Allegations Circulating in Washington

Rumours about a possible relationship between Noem and Lewandowski have circulated in US political circles for several years. However, no independent evidence supporting the claims has been presented publicly.

The issue resurfaced during the recent congressional hearings as lawmakers questioned the secretary about her relationship with advisers and outside consultants connected to the department. Lewandowski has previously served in advisory roles connected to political and policy initiatives involving immigration and border enforcement.

Congressional Scrutiny of DHS Leadership

The hearings in Washington also addressed several policy issues connected to Noem's leadership of the DHS. Lawmakers questioned the department about spending on a federal advertising campaign valued at approximately $220 million (about £164.5 million) that promoted immigration enforcement policies. Members of Congress asked why the campaign featured the secretary prominently and how the spending had been authorised.

Additional discussion focused on policies affecting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In 2025, Noem introduced a requirement that certain contracts and grants receive written approval from her office before being finalised.

Some lawmakers said the policy slowed approvals during disaster response operations, while DHS officials stated the measure was intended to strengthen oversight of federal spending.

Transition to a Diplomatic Role

Following the announcement of her departure from DHS, the White House confirmed that Noem will take on the role of Special Envoy for the 'Shield of the Americas.' The programme is expected to focus on cooperation between the United States and countries across North, Central and South America on issues including migration, narcotics trafficking and border security.

In a message posted on social media after the announcement, Noem said she looked forward to continuing her work on national security issues in the new role. The White House has said additional details about the initiative will be announced during a summit in Florida involving leaders from several Latin American countries.