Analysts Claim Kristi Noem Is Not the Most Powerful Person at DHS: "She Is the Face, Corey Is the Brains"

Analysts and current and former officials say the balance of power inside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security increasingly points not to Secretary Kristi Noem but to senior adviser Corey Lewandowski, whose influence has expanded despite his status as a temporary government employee.

Lewandowski, a former campaign manager for President Donald Trump, has operated as a de facto chief of staff to Noem, according to multiple officials cited by Axios. "Kristi is the face of DHS. Corey is the brains. He gets things done," one senior administration official told the outlet.

Although designated as a special government employee limited to 130 days of service per year, Lewandowski has remained deeply involved in agency operations, including contract discussions and policy decisions.

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Reports in 2025 suggested Lewandowski's presence at DHS went beyond advisory functions. Officials told Axios he was a constant presence alongside Noem and had leveraged his proximity to power while remaining formally classified as a temporary employee. Some officials alleged he avoided clocking in or using official systems, complicating oversight of his work hours.

Concerns about Lewandowski's influence predate recent reporting. In late 2025, CNN and other outlets cited current and former DHS officials who said Noem's reliance on Lewandowski had frustrated senior staff and created uncertainty over who was directing immigration policy. The Bulwark reported that Trump had been briefed on internal tensions and concerns about mismanagement linked to Lewandowski's role.

Officials quoted by NewsNation in December described a "shadow leader" dynamic inside DHS, with Lewandowski and other advisers competing for authority over enforcement strategy.

Lewandowski's ongoing role inside DHS became visible again last week, when an Axios reporter saw him at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport discussing what appeared to be agency contracts with vendors. One company he referenced, Palantir, had previously been mentioned in a Wall Street Journal investigation examining his involvement in federal contracting while serving as a special government employee.

DHS has pushed back against claims that Lewandowski holds operational authority. A spokesperson said he is an adviser who receives no salary or federal benefits and volunteers his time to support the department. The spokesperson declined to comment on his apparent contract discussions but said Lewandowski has completed required ethics filings and has no involvement in Palantir contracts.

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