DHS employees cower too terrified to leave their desks under a reign of fear orchestrated by Secretary Kristi Noem’s abrasive advisor Corey Lewandowski.
Lewandowski Emerges as Shadow Power at DHS
Corey Lewandowski, hired as a 130-day Special Government Employee, assumed control beyond his advisory role. He sits at Noem’s desk, fires personnel like FEMA acting head Cameron Hamilton after a passed polygraph, and vetoes contracts over $100,000. Hamilton faced accusation of press leaks in March, endured the test, then lost his job in May following congressional testimony. Noem lowered the approval threshold from $25 million in June, sparking bottlenecks. Staff report paralyzing fear.
Noem Enables Toxic Leadership Dynamics
Kristi Noem, former South Dakota governor appointed DHS Secretary post-2024 election, delegates sweeping authority to Lewandowski. Reports detail both screaming at staff in meetings, unleashing F-bombs over media coverage. Matthew Strickland, a DHS contractor, got fired for a pro-Hamilton social media post. Anonymous officials describe employees “scared s***less of Corey,” too afraid to act. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claims Noem makes all decisions. Power imbalance persists.
Operational Delays Cripple Critical Agencies
Noem’s June policy change delayed FEMA payments for Texas flood relief and TSA contracts. Staff hesitate on decisions, fearing reprisal, leading to lapsed services. Mid-September, President Trump called Noem and Lewandowski to the Oval Office amid complaints. Post-meeting, incidents continued, including demands for private pilots and demotion of an ICE lawyer who denied Lewandowski a gun. Noem claims $13 billion in savings, but chaos undermines results. Taxpayers foot the bill for inefficiency.
White House Scrutiny and Persistent Rumors
Trump blocked Lewandowski from chief of staff role due to security issues. Affair rumors, labeled Washington’s “worst-kept secret,” distract from duties. Noem calls them a “disgusting lie.” Ex-staff like Hamilton and Strickland confirm the “Corey show” dominates. Official denials clash with multiple anonymous accounts of polygraphs, firings, and berating. Lewandowski exceeds his term limit informally. Common sense demands accountability over blind loyalty in government service.
Enduring Morale Crisis and Broader Fallout
Fear culture endures into late 2025, with opaque contracts and perk abuses. Disaster victims suffer delayed aid; security screening lapses. Political infighting tarnishes Noem’s reputation and Trump administration credibility. Micromanagement contradicts conservative values of efficient, limited government. Multi-source reports strengthen claims despite anonymity. No firings of the duo signal tolerance for dysfunction. American common sense favors proven leaders who prioritize mission over personal power grabs.
Sources:
Noem’s right-hand man sows fear among DHS staffers over press (The Independent)
People were really shocked: Kristi Noem reportedly screamed at DHS staff (Times of India)