- Kristi Noem, the soon-to-be former head of the Department of Homeland Security, was asked whether she was having an affair with top advisor Corey Lewandowski during a House hearing this week.
- “At any time during your tenure as director of the Department of Homeland Security, have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?” California Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked at the hearing Wednesday.
- “Mr. Chairman, I am shocked we are going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today,” Noem replied. Her husband Bryon Noem, who had been seated just behind her at the hearing, left the room right before the question was asked.
- Noem’s refusal to deny the accusation directly led Kamlager Dove to continue. “It is OK for you to be offended by the question,” she said. “But it is a real question and you should be able to answer the question clearly and without any hesitation if someone is asking if you or any federal official is sleeping with their subordinate.”
- She continued, “You should be wanting to answer that question because it is not about your sex life, it is about your judgement.” Lewandowski and Noem, both of whom are married, have repeatedly denied the allegations and the secretary called them a “disgusting lie.”
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