Corey Lewandowski, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, is helping Kristi Noem with transition planning for the Department of Homeland Security, according to four people familiar with the Trump transition.
In recent weeks, Lewandowski has sat in on transition meetings with Noem, Trump’s pick to head DHS, and consulted with her on political appointees for the sprawling agency, said three of the people, who were granted anonymity as a condition of sharing details on the transition.
It is not clear if Lewandowski has an official role yet in the transition or is helping in a personal capacity, according to two of the people.
Lewandowski has also told people on the transition team that he’s part of the DHS transition and is believed to be leading personnel hiring, according to two of the people. One person said he’s been doing interviews with potential DHS appointees, both with Noem and independently. He’s not on the DHS landing team, which is being led by Robert Law.
In one sense, Lewandowski’s involvement does not come as a surprise. As a close friend and former adviser to the South Dakota governor, he vouched for her to get the DHS role.
Still, he has never worked at DHS, and his proximity to Noem in the transition process indicates that the political operative could have a hand in key personnel decisions at an agency that will oversee a cornerstone of Trump’s second term: the mass deportation of illegal immigrants.
Asked multiple times for clarification on Lewandowski’s role, Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the Trump Transition, said only that “As per the Transition MOU with the Biden Administration, the White House is receiving the names of those serving on landing teams.” He also added: “The landing team members are connecting with their counterparts at the departments and agencies.”
In a text in response to POLITICO’s reporting, Lewandowski said: “It’s all Fake News and no one cares.”
A spokesperson for Noem offered no comment in response to an inquiry about Lewandowski’s involvement.
Lewandowski’s work with Noem provides the latest sign he is wielding influence again inside Trump’s orbit. The former campaign chief was ousted in the middle of the 2016 campaign, when he was blamed for running a political operation that appeared to be sputtering.
Trump advisers and Noem also briefly cut ties with Lewandowski over allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances towards a Republican donor in 2021. Lewandowski cut a deal with Las Vegas prosecutors after he was charged with misdemeanor battery, and the case was dismissed. He later mended fences with Noem, and rejoined the Trump campaign this fall as an adviser.