Corey Lewandowski has reappeared alongside Kristi Noem on an official State Department trip to Guyana and Costa Rica, despite reports that he was not expected to land another job in the administration. Photos released by the Guyanese government clearly show Lewandowski seated next to Noem during a formal meeting with Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and other government officials.
This trip came just weeks after Noem was removed from her position at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and reassigned as Special Envoy to The Shield of the Americas, a White House security initiative. Lewandowski, who had served as Noem’s top advisor at DHS as a “special government employee,” reportedly left with her.
The State Department, however, appears to be distancing itself from Lewandowski. According to the Daily Mail, a State Department source said that Lewandowski holds no official role with the department and will not be working with the agency in the future. This makes his presence on what looked like an official trip puzzling to many observers.
Lewandowski and Noem remain under serious scrutiny over a wide-ranging criminal investigation
His reappearance has sparked frustration among some of Noem’s former colleagues at DHS. One official reportedly said, “They just can’t quit each other,” while another asked, “How is this guy doing state department business?”
The pair are currently facing a criminal investigation by the Homeland Security Inspector General over the awarding of billions of dollars in no-bid contracts. Dozens of officials from Noem’s inner circle have been told to preserve all communications, including documents, text messages, emails, and phone records.
Kristi Noem held a meeting with His Excellency President Irfaan Ali and Guyanese government officials to reaffirm the enduring U.S.-Guyana partnership. Their discussions focused on joint efforts to disrupt cartel and transnational criminal activity, strengthen border security,… pic.twitter.com/jywwSKSuNQ
— U.S. Embassy Guyana (@EmbassyGuyana) March 25, 2026
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have also called for an investigation into allegations that DHS officials directed hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to politically connected firms, and urged a subpoena for Lewandowski due to his central role.
Kristi Noem keeps her lover Corey Lewandowski close by her side for first appearance in new job after she was fired at DHS https://t.co/3Y5vqaGIK7 pic.twitter.com/LJObHzQMHj
— New York Post (@nypost) March 25, 2026
Lewandowski has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as “fake news.” However, sources alleged that he solicited “pay to play” fees in exchange for helping secure or expand contracts, a practice some called “the Lewandowski tax.”
Reports have also emerged of Lewandowski chasing success fees from a major prison company, which reportedly left even Trump suspicious. Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied the allegations regarding contract steering. Their alleged tight control over the approval of all six-figure contracts reportedly created significant backlogs, delaying projects like FEMA disaster relief and border wall construction.
DHS sources suggest this allowed them to bypass standard oversight procedures. Noem’s departure from DHS came on March 5. Lewandowski was seen that same day at a counter-cartel conference hosted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Doral, Florida, and posted on social media expressing gratitude for bringing Western Hemisphere countries together to battle cartels.
Despite telling people Trump would pardon him no matter what, Lewandowski was still ousted alongside Noem. Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as the new Homeland Security Secretary on Tuesday, replacing Noem.
