By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A bombshell report has alleged that the Department of Homeland Security is in a state of “constant chaos” under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem and her top adviser Corey Lewandowski. The Wall Street Journal cites sources within the department highly critical of Noem, painting an unflattering portrait of the secretary as a politician who has sought to “burnish her personal stardom at every turn.” The report details accusations of Noem staging headline-grabbing immigration crackdowns while sidelining rivals and dissenters, and even her close relationship with Lewandowski making President Trump and his top advisers uncomfortable. Further claims include Noem’s rivalry with border czar Tom Homan over air time and the duo berating Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons following the Minneapolis shooting videos, despite previously encouraging dramatic arrest videos.
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The Wall Street Journal’s recent exposé has brought to light some truly jaw-dropping details about Kristi Noem’s leadership at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the role of her top aide, Corey Lewandowski. It’s less about what’s scandalous and more about the sheer, almost theatrical, level of alleged dysfunction and self-serving behavior that paints a picture far removed from competent governance.
One of the most striking revelations centers on a bizarre incident involving a Coast Guard pilot. Apparently, when Noem had to switch planes due to a maintenance issue, her favorite blanket was left behind. In a display of what can only be described as extreme pettiness, she allegedly ordered the pilot’s dismissal over this oversight. The pilot was reportedly told he was fired and sent home commercially, only to be reinstated shortly after because, as it turned out, no one else was available to pilot the plane. A DHS spokesperson, when asked about this, offered a rather sterile response about making “personnel decisions to deliver excellence,” which, given the circumstances, feels rather ironic.
Then there’s the astonishing request from Corey Lewandowski to be issued a law enforcement badge and a federally-issued gun, despite lacking the necessary training. When a candidate for a top ICE role, Tom Feeley, was asked if he would be willing to provide these “props,” he declined and was subsequently overlooked for the position. Similarly, an ICE lawyer named Ken Padilla reportedly refused the same request and ended up being placed on administrative leave before a demotion to FEMA. The report notes that Lewandowski eventually got his gun, but only after it was allegedly signed off by an ICE director’s autopen, a detail that’s particularly noteworthy given past criticisms of similar methods.
The article also delves into the pair’s travel arrangements, highlighting the acquisition of a luxury 737 MAX jet for approximately $70 million, ostensibly for “high-profile deportations.” Staff have apparently begun referring to this jet as the secretary’s “big, beautiful jet,” a rather telling nickname. This opulent purchase stands in contrast to the department’s usual use of chartered planes for deportations and raises questions about priorities and resource allocation.
Beyond the operational chaos, the exposé touches on the blurring of personal and professional lines, noting the significant time Lewandowski spends at a government-owned waterfront house provided to the Coast Guard leader, a position that falls under Noem’s purview. While they’ve publicly denied reports of an affair, the report suggests their relationship isn’t kept particularly private within the department, with a DHS spokeswoman dismissing such concerns as “salacious, baseless gossip.”
The article further paints a picture of Noem actively seeking to cultivate her public image, donned in flak jackets and posing with guns, all while maintaining a “TV-ready” appearance. She’s been described as staging headline-grabbing immigration crackdowns, sometimes over the objections of long-serving immigration officials, with the intent of burnishing her personal stardom. An ad campaign featuring her urging immigrants to “leave now” also received significant funding from the department’s budget.
What’s particularly galling is the sheer entitlement and apparent disregard for standard procedures evident in these allegations. The idea of a pilot being fired over a forgotten blanket, or an aide demanding badges and firearms without qualification, speaks to a leadership that seems more focused on personal convenience and image than on the serious responsibilities of governing. The report suggests a level of “constant chaos” within DHS, driven by these alleged actions and priorities, which is certainly not what one would expect from an agency tasked with national security.