Overview
- The Atlantic published reporting from Julia Ainsley’s forthcoming book alleging Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski reshaped DHS into a “dysfunctional fiefdom” and tightly centralized decision-making.
- Lewandowski has referred to himself as Noem’s chief adviser despite a 130‑workday limit under his special‑government‑employee status, with staff describing a meeting “chill” when he is present.
- Excerpts cited by multiple outlets say President Trump viewed Noem’s widely criticized story about shooting her dog as an asset when selecting her to lead DHS.
- Major outlets previously confirmed that Lewandowski fired, then quickly rehired, Coast Guard pilot Lt. Cmdr. Keith Thomas after a 2025 flight when a missing item could not be retrieved midair.
- Reporting says Thomas later took a new DHS air‑division role before resigning in late January 2026, while a tabloid now claims the missing “blanket” was actually a “mysterious bag,” a detail not verified by major outlets.