Kristi Noem still has something to say about the Department of Homeland Security despite her ouster from the agency months ago.
Donald Trump removed the former DHS secretary in March. The president kept her around by installing Noem as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
Days before her removal, Noem stumbled through congressional testimony about her own scandal and DHS’s $464 million aircraft fleet purchase and immigration enforcement.
Lawmakers also pressed the former South Dakota governor about her close working relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a “tabloid” scandal that even a recent in-flight emergency couldn’t make people forget.
Noem’s DHS successor, Makwayne Mullin, was onboard a Coast Guard C-37A jet on Sept. 2 when an engine went out.
The vessel took off from Lawson Army Airfield and declared an emergency landing an hour and a half into the flight. Mullin and the crew of 13 people landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
He tweeted, “The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single engine landing feel routine. No panic, just straight professionalism. After we landed, the pilots told me that was a first for them! We could not have been in better hands.”
The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single engine landing feel routine. No panic, just straight professionalism. After we landed, the pilots told me that was a first for them! We could not have been in better hands. https://t.co/ckhCkJbsRX
— Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) September 2, 2026
And then Noem inserted herself into the headline-making ordeal. She posted, “So thankful everyone is safe. Guess the Coast Guard did need new planes,” on X.
Supporters praised her past work at DHS, but hecklers quickly drowned them out and mocked her. One detractor snapped, “Weren’t you fired?”
A second person sarcastically commented, “Kristi feeling vindicated for the first time in months.”
So thankful everyone is safe. 🙏 Guess the Coast Guard did need new planes.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) September 3, 2026
The latter snark alluded to DHS’s hefty expenditure on aircraft at Noem’s behest. Among the purchases was a $70 million Boeing 737 Max jet that featured a bedroom with a queen-sized bed.
She claimed that plane was vital to carry out Trump’s immigration agenda, but speculators insisted it was a “private house” in the air for her and Lewandowski.
The administration has since given first lady Melania Trump and other officials exclusive use of the plane.
Lewandowski worked pro bono as Noem’s “special government employee” and top adviser. He was recently spotted with his former boss amid her apparent split from her estranged husband, Bryon Noem.
“How’s [your] husband doing?” asked one curious social media user. Another said, “OMG! Please just STFU and go away, far, far away!”
Noem’s 77-year-old mother, Corinne Arnold, said a divorhttps://atlantablackstar.com/2026/07/19/kristi-noems-first-family-photo-after-divorce-reports-has-fans-wondering-if-corey-lewandowski-is-still-in-the-picture/ce “was coming,” but the couple has not released an official statement.
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Noem and her subordinate were previously the subject of “blanketgate,” which worsened rumors about the nature of their relationship.
Lewandowski reportedly had a Coast Guard pilot fired after a blanket incident while switching aircraft.
The pile-on intensified with humiliating quips that dredged up their alleged wrongdoings. A third response read, “Not ones with bedroom for you and your lover.”
One person told Noem that “crawling out from under a rock only to pathetically justify your theft of tax payers $ is a choice. Tell Corey we said hello, and you’re both going to prison.”
Despite Noem denying an affair with her aide, controversy continues to tie the two together. A Wall Street Journal report alleges that Lewandowski exchanged government services with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for money.
He insists “the whole story is fake.”
