Kristi Noem calls Corey Lewandowski romance rumors ‘tabloid garbage’ during fiery House hearing

Kristi Noem defended Corey Lewandowski’s role, explaining that he is a special government employee who works for the White House
PUBLISHED MAR 5, 2026
Kristi Noem faced tough questions from Democrats during a House Judiciary Committee hearing over her relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Kristi Noem faced tough questions from Democrats during a House Judiciary Committee hearing over her relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, strongly denied rumors that she was dating longtime Trump ally Corey Lewandowski on Wednesday, March 4.

She called the claims ‘tabloid garbage’ as lawmakers on Capitol Hill asked her pointed questions about the gossip that was going around.

Noem's response came during a heated meeting of the House Judiciary Committee, where Democrats kept asking her to explain her relationship with Lewandowski, who is a senior adviser in her department but is not a government employee.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Department of Homeland Security has faced criticism over it's handling of immigration enforcement leaving the department unfunded. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 04, 2026 in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Heated exchange during meeting

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem refused to answer questions from two House Democrats about her relationship with a Trump ally who works as an unpaid adviser at her department.

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif) asked Noem if she has had “s****l relations” with Corey Lewandowski during her tenure as DHS chief.

Noem, whose husband, Bryon, attended the hearing, reacted with noticeable anger in her voice. “I am shocked we’re peddling tabloid garbage in this committee,” she responded.



Noem also said Lewandowski is a “special government employee who works for the White House.

There are thousands of them in the federal government,” adding that he has no influence over decisions at DHS.

Kamlager-Dove pressed for an answer, saying, “It is okay for you to be offended by the question. But it is also a real question and you should be able to answer the question clearly and without hesitation … you should be wanting to answer that question.”

: Corey Lewandowski, chief advisor to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Katie Miller, former advisor to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), arrive at Mar-a-Lago on February 1, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. The wedding of Dan Scavino, White House deputy chief of staff, and Erin Elmore, the State Department’s Art in Embassies director, is taking place today at Mar‑a‑Lago. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
Corey Lewandowski, chief advisor to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, and Katie Miller, former advisor to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), arrive at Mar-a-Lago on February 1, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida (Al Drago/Getty Images)

Kristi Noem claims rumors have been ‘refuted for years’

The congresswoman shot back that it was okay for the secretary to be “offended by the question,” but she argued that it was a real question that Noem should be able to answer clearly, noting that it concerned a government official having a relationship with a subordinate.

“You should be wanting to answer that question because it is not about your s*x life, it is about your judgment,” she told Noem.

The DHS secretary continued to speak over Kamlager-Dove throughout the exchange. She called it garbage, said it was offensive and claimed the “garbage has been refuted for years.”

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Department of Homeland Security has faced criticism over it's handling of immigration enforcement leaving the department unfunded. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 04, 2026 in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Florida Rep Jared Moskowitz questioned her about her relationship with Lewandowski moments later.

“You’ve called Corey Lewandowski a special government employee,” he said angrily. “I understand what government means, I understand what employee means, OK, but I don’t know what makes him special.”

“I think the ridiculousness of this and the tabloids that you are quoting and referencing are insane,” Noem shot back. “And this has been something that I’ve refuted for years, and I continue to do that.”

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17: Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski arrives to testify du
Florida Rep Jared Moskowitz questioned Kristi Noem about her relationship with Lewandowski (Getty Images)

Lewandowski, an ally of President Donald Trump who ran his 2016 presidential campaign, currently works as a special adviser at the Department of Homeland Security.

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