Increasing Influence of Corey Lewandowski within the Department of Homeland Security Unveiled
Lewandowski's Influence at the Department of Homeland Security
Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee (SGE) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been making waves in the agency since his arrival. His influence has grown significantly, leading to the appointment of more than half a dozen loyalists in DHS's front office and steering the agency from within.
As an SGE, Lewandowski is subject to strict ethics requirements, including compliance with all applicable laws, avoiding conflicts of interest, and maintaining high moral standards. However, his actions have raised questions about his adherence to these rules.
Lewandowski's intentions were clear from the early days of the Trump administration: he aimed to dismantle DHS, particularly the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This ambition has been evident in his relentless push to help the Trump administration restructure FEMA.
One of Lewandowski's most controversial actions was his attempt to install his loyalist, David Richardson, as the successor to Cameron Hamilton, Trump's first acting FEMA administrator. This move was denied by a senior DHS official. Lewandowski also ordered polygraph tests for several FEMA employees, including Hamilton, seeking to determine if they leaked information to the press.
Lewandowski has also been involved in personnel decisions, directing the firings of personnel, requesting employees be put on administrative leave, and signing off on billions of dollars in FEMA grant funding. Despite not being included on the department's leadership list, he is described as the chief adviser to the secretary in other DHS materials.
Rumours of Lewandowski overriding the department's Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar, acting as the department's de facto second-in-command, have been circulating. This raises questions about how long he can continue to call the shots in a position meant to be temporary.
Lewandowski's growing influence over FEMA has not been without controversy. He was involved in a high-profile clash with California Sen. Alex Padilla, forcibly removing him from a Noem news conference and offering a meeting with the secretary afterwards.
Lewandowski's past has also come under scrutiny. He previously advised South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem but cut ties with her in 2021 following allegations of unwanted sexual advances.
Despite these controversies, Lewandowski remains a key figure in DHS. Last week, he was pictured at Noem's side during meetings in Argentina and participated in a bilateral meeting with Chilean and Ecuadorian officials. Lewandowski has also filed a financial disclosure with the Department of Homeland Security.
As Lewandowski continues to wield influence at DHS, questions about his adherence to ethics rules and the impact of his actions on the agency remain.
- Corey Lewandowski's influence at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extends beyond his special government employee status, as he has steered the agency from within and appointed loyalists.
- Controversy surrounds Lewandowski's actions, such as his attempt to install his loyalist as FEMA administrator and his order for polygraph tests for FEMA employees.
- Politics and policy-and-legislations are not the only areas where Lewandowski's interest lies; he has been involved in casino-games and casino-personalities, as he was previously an advisor to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
- General-news and crime-and-justice sectors are also relevant, as Lewandowski has faced allegations of unwanted sexual advances, leading to his severing ties with Noem in 2021.
- Despite controversies, Lewandowski's influence at DHS continues, as demonstrated by his recent meetings in Argentina and bilateral meetings with Chilean and Ecuadorian officials. The ongoing debate about his adherence to ethics rules and the impact of his actions on the DHS is a matter of continued political discussion.
