Corey Lewandowski, a top aide to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, reportedly boasted that he could do “whatever” he wanted because he believed President Donald Trump would pardon him. This comes as both Lewandowski and Noem are now expected to leave the department by the end of March.
According to the NY Post, sources close to the situation say Lewandowski made these remarks on multiple occasions during his time as a special government employee. “I’m not worried. I do whatever the f— I want. DJT will pardon me,” he reportedly told one source last year. Another source confirmed he “was telling people he was going to get [a] pardon so he didn’t have to worry.”
Lewandowski has denied these claims, saying, “Never said that. Never asked for a pardon and have no reason to receive one.” However, four other sources who have worked with him said the remarks “certainly sounded like something he would say,” even though they did not personally hear them.
Lewandowski tightly controlled DHS operations and is now leaving under a cloud of controversy
President Trump reportedly fired Noem last Thursday, after two days of intense congressional hearings. During those hearings, Democrats accused her of lying about Lewandowski’s role in awarding contracts and questioned his ties to firms that received those funds.
Questions about a personal relationship between the two also came up. Trump has been no stranger to controversy lately, as his special envoy contradicted his Iran war claims in a separate but equally embarrassing episode.
Corey Lewandowski may have bragged his way out of a Trump pardon. The top Kristi Noem aide allegedly had a habit of declaring he could do “whatever” he wanted because “DJT will pardon me.” That may not go over well with Trump. https://t.co/XEqwTzuU8q
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) March 11, 2026
Sources say the “final straw” for Trump was Noem’s “sputtering non-denial” when asked about having “sexual relations” with Lewandowski. Both have consistently denied any improper relationship or wrongdoing related to their work at DHS.
Lewandowski had tightly controlled operations under Noem, including contract approvals and staff firings. A $220 million federal advertising campaign featuring Noem was a major point of contention during her Capitol Hill hearings, and her answers about it reportedly contributed to her removal.
It is unclear what specific federal crimes Lewandowski might need a pardon for. One former Trump campaign adviser said, “Corey has always behaved like the rules don’t apply to him. People around Trumpworld have been waiting to see how that ends.” That same person doubted Trump would grant clemency if Lewandowski were found to have abused his position for personal gain, “absent a witch hunt.”
Lewandowski’s past includes other controversies. In 2016, a battery charge was filed against him for an incident involving then-Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields, though it was later dropped. In 2017, he faced accusations of slapping the buttocks of Joy Villa, though no charges followed.
In 2021, he was pushed out of a pro-Trump super PAC after allegations of unwanted advances toward donor Trashelle Odom, which his lawyers later said was dismissed. Trump’s orbit has seen other awkward public moments too, such as Jake Paul’s appearance at a Trump rally drawing widespread attention.
As an unpaid special government employee, Lewandowski was not required to file public financial reports, and he reportedly bypassed the 130-day annual cap for such employees by frequently entering DHS headquarters unlogged throughout 2025.
