The question in Washington right now isn’t whether Kristi Noem remains a key figure in Trump’s second-term immigration agenda. It’s whether she’s about to lose her job altogether. A Daily Beast report says Trump is considering firing her over the turmoil created by her partnership with longtime Trump operative Corey Lewandowski.Here’s the breakdown.
Why Kristi Noem is suddenly at risk
According to former DHS officials quoted in the report, Trump’s advisers have grown increasingly frustrated with the influence and behaviour of Lewandowski, whose closeness to Noem has become a persistent source of internal chaos. Some officials described the situation as damaging enough that her removal is now being actively discussed.
Driving the news
The concerns outlined include:
- A long-rumoured relationship: Though both have denied it, Noem and Lewandowski’s alleged personal relationship has circulated in Washington for years and is now considered a major political distraction inside DHS.
- Operational missteps: The pair reportedly approved a plan to acquire a set of Spirit Airlines jets before discovering the aircraft had no engines and weren’t even fully owned by the airline.
- Lewandowski’s unusual role: Despite being an unpaid adviser legally limited to 130 working days a year, he is said to travel with Noem, sit in on personnel decisions, and shape immigration enforcement strategy. His workday tally is reportedly being scrutinised.
- Staff frustration: Inside DHS, officials have warned that the duo’s decision-making is destabilising operations, with one person quoted saying they could “destroy this place.”
The accumulation of these issues has pushed Trump’s team to quietly prepare for a change.
Who could replace her?
Advisers have floated outgoing Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin as a potential successor once he leaves office. His name being circulated signals that internal planning for Noem’s exit is already underway.
Why Trump might not fire her directly
Despite the Apprentice image, Trump rarely handles firings himself. Former aides recall that he dislikes direct confrontations and prefers delegating dismissals to chiefs of staff or senior advisers. If Noem is removed, it’s unlikely the message will come from Trump personally.
The bigger picture
Noem’s vulnerability has less to do with policy differences and more to do with the perception that she and Lewandowski have become a political liability. In Trump’s orbit, loyalty matters, but drama that distracts from the administration’s immigration push is a different calculation. The question now is whether keeping her costs Trump more than replacing her.
