Corey Lewandowski, once sidelined by scandal, has reemerged as a powerful behind-the-scenes player in the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem.
At a Glance
- Lewandowski Serves as DHS “Special Government Employee”
- Wields Influence Over Hiring and Secretary Access
- Past Misconduct Allegations Blocked Official Role
- Also Advises Elon Musk’s Government Efficiency Unit
Lewandowski’s Unofficial Role at DHS
After being denied a formal government position, Corey Lewandowski assumed a powerful yet unofficial role at the Department of Homeland Security. Now classified as a “special government employee,” Lewandowski has direct influence over hiring and access decisions involving DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. One department staffer reportedly remarked that they would “have to check with Corey” before proceeding with internal matters, highlighting his role as a de facto gatekeeper, as revealed in a recent investigation.
His positioning within the department allows him to shape decisions typically reserved for senior officials, despite having no formal title. Lewandowski’s ability to maintain such sway stems in part from his long-standing loyalty to Donald Trump and his close alignment with Noem’s political agenda.
Watch CBS News’ report on the incident at Woman who accused Trump aide Corey Lewandowski of 2021 assault speaks out: “I was his prey”.
A History of Controversy
Lewandowski’s career has long been marked by controversy. In 2021, Trump donor Trashelle Odom accused him of making unwanted sexual advances during a charity event in Las Vegas. He later avoided criminal prosecution by agreeing to undergo impulse control counseling and complete community service, as detailed in court reporting.
His record also includes a separate allegation from 2017, when singer Joy Villa accused him of slapping her buttocks at a party hosted at the Trump International Hotel. Though he denied any wrongdoing, the claim received public attention and prompted internal backlash.
Amid these accusations, Lewandowski’s prospects for a formal appointment were effectively derailed. Donald Trump ultimately declined to place him in any significant White House role, citing the negative optics of his past behavior, according to multiple sources.
Ties to Elon Musk’s Government Efficiency Efforts
Outside DHS, Lewandowski has also embedded himself within Elon Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial federal initiative aimed at cutting waste and modernizing bureaucracies. Under DOGE, major policy changes have already taken effect, including the cancellation of numerous government leases and a sharp reduction in contractor spending—moves that insiders say Lewandowski has helped shape, as reported here.
Although his role in DOGE is unpaid and unofficial, his proximity to Musk and other influential reformers positions him to impact major restructuring efforts across federal agencies. His presence in the program has been described as both strategic and quietly pivotal to its early operations.
The Implications of Unofficial Influence
Lewandowski’s dual positions—serving as a key adviser at DHS while influencing government-wide reforms through DOGE—have sparked broader concern about the expanding role of unofficial actors in policymaking. His capacity to direct hiring, access, and policy strategy without formal oversight underscores how power in Washington is increasingly exercised from the shadows.
His ability to operate without public accountability or Senate confirmation illustrates a shift in how political influence is wielded. As shown in the reporting that exposed his internal reach, Lewandowski exemplifies a new class of political operative—steering federal agendas from behind the curtain, far from the scrutiny such power typically demands.
