Trump advisors 'uncomfortable' with Kristi Noem ally trying to curry favor with president

Donald Trump and his advisors are said to be uncomfortable with recent actions carried out by the Department of Homeland Security Head, Kirsti Noem.

Noem, who assumed office on Jan 25, 2025, has left the president and his closest allies uncomfortable with a pitch to curry favor with the 47th POTUS. A report from The Wall Street Journal confirmed that Noem and Corey Lewandowski, a former campaign manager who has worked with Trump in the past, are attempting to win the president over.

Michelle Hackman, Josh Dawsey, and Tarini Parti wrote, "The pair worked to hastily solidify their relationship with the president, successfully requesting an Oval Office meeting with Trump two days after the Pretti shooting. Noem’s team quickly scheduled a series of press conferences on other matters, including an event highlighting airport security in Miami and an announcement about the border wall in Arizona.

"Noem and Lewandowski’s close relationship had already made Trump and his top advisers uncomfortable. Lewandowski had initially wanted to formally serve as Noem’s chief of staff, but Trump rejected the idea due to reports of a romantic relationship between the two—which he has continued to bring up, officials say."

Though the pair has been spotted backing Immigration and Customs Officials in recent weeks, their private pitches to Trump have been the point of discussion behind the scenes.

"Behind the scenes, Noem and Lewandowski have attempted to curry favor with Trump and box out rivals, including Homan," the WSJ reported. "As Trump’s first campaign manager in the 2016 election, Lewandowski has a long-term relationship with the president, who values his loyalty and considers him a friend.

"Though White House officials have been frustrated with Noem and Lewandowski’s leadership, they know his closeness with the president makes it hard for them to make changes at DHS, officials said.

"Lewandowski has taken on a much more expansive role than the status typically allows, directing personnel and contracting and handling classified information. In emails and on other paperwork, he uses the title chief adviser to the secretary.

"Lewandowski’s outsize role at the department drew enough concern from administration officials that the White House Counsel’s Office opened an inquiry into Lewandowski’s potential abuse of the special government employee role last year."