Corey Lewandowski, the unpaid adviser to outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is unlikely to return to the White House once he leaves his post this month after generating various controversies over the last year, according to a new report.
While serving as Noem’s unpaid right-hand-man, Lewandowski reportedly amassed enormous power; able to fire DHS employees, sign-off on contracts over $100,000 and even elevate people, such as Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol leader, to a senior position, those familiar with the situation told the New York Times.
A recent NBC News report has accused Lewandowski of seeking payments from potential contractors while serving as a top aide to Noem, claims which he has previously denied.
Those reports about Lewandowski’s role, as well as speculation about the extent of his relationship with Noem, allegedly frustrated President Donald Trump. While Lewandowski has a long history of working alongside the president, unnamed sources told the New York Times that he’s on “precarious grounds” with Trump.
“All personnel decisions are made by the White House,” Lewandowski told the New York Times in a statement.
The Independent has asked the White House for comment.
Lewandowski joined DHS shortly after Noem, serving as a temporary “special government employee” in which he could work a maximum of 130 days. But by August, White House employees reportedly noticed Lewandowski was trying to stay in the administration longer than he was allowed, Axios reported at the time.
Reports emerged in the following weeks that DHS employees feared Lewandowski who wielded power over them, accusing people of disloyalty, threatening to fire staffers over trivial matters and screaming at DHS employees for leaking negative information.
Former employees claimed Lewandowski had the power to sign-off on DHS contracts worth $100k or more – a policy Noem implemented when she became secretary. However, Noem denied that while testifying to Congress earlier this month.
The Independent has asked a lawyer for Lewandowski for comment.
In a statement, Lewandowski’s lawyer told the New York Times that his client “adamantly denis ever demanding payment or compensation from any potential, former or current government contractor.”
Lewandowski’s lawyer said he played “no role” in reviewing or approving contracts.
Those allegations flooded DHS all while other media reports accused Lewandowski and Noem of having an extramarietal affair, which both vehemently denied.
As a result of the negative media attention, Trump is unlikely to re-hire Lewandowski, an official told the New York Times.
However, Lewandowski faced similar negative attention while serving as the 2016 Trump campaign manager and yet remained in Trump’s inner circle.
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