Corey Lewandowski, a senior aide to US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has been accused of entering the cockpit of a government jet uninvited last year and allegedly firing a pilot over a misplaced blanket, according to two sources familiar with the incident.
The incident occurred during a flight with Noem, a long-time ally of President Donald Trump, when her blanket was discovered missing. Lewandowski reportedly entered the cockpit before the plane reached 10,000 feet (3,048 metres) and while the seatbelt sign was still illuminated, potentially violating US Coast Guard safety guidelines.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, tightened after 9/11, strictly limit cockpit access and prohibit interfering with crew duties. Although the Coast Guard is not legally bound by the FAA's 'sterile cockpit rule,' it has a similar policy outlined in its 2021 operations manual, which states that no person shall engage in distracting activities during critical phases of flight.
Lewandowski denied the allegations, stating in a text message to Reuters: 'There was never a conversation in the cockpit when the flight was taking off.' However, he did not respond to questions about whether he entered the cockpit while the plane was climbing and under 10,000 feet. Aviation safety experts consider the initial ascent among the riskiest parts of any flight, with Randy Klatt of The Foundation for Aviation Safety noting that planes are 'low and slow' during this phase.
The US Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard declined to comment on the flight. The White House referred to President Trump's praise for Noem and press secretary Karoline Leavitt's statement that Trump had 'utmost confidence and trust' in her. Lewandowski, a 'special government employee' allowed to work up to 130 days annually, has faced scrutiny over his role, with the White House Counsel's Office reportedly opening an investigation last year.
During the flight, pilots asked Lewandowski to return to the cabin until cruising altitude was reached. Later, when the pilot walked back into the cabin, Lewandowski allegedly asked who should be fired because Noem's blanket had been left behind when they switched planes for technical reasons before take-off. The pilot took responsibility for any possible oversight.
