DHS Leadership Accused of 'Evil' Tactics in Bid to Remove Border Commissioner
A startling new investigation has exposed what sources describe as an aggressive and malicious campaign orchestrated by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her close ally Corey Lewandowski. Their apparent goal was to force Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott from his pivotal role, according to eight individuals who spoke to the Washington Examiner.
A Coordinated Effort to Undermine a Veteran Official
The reported conflict stems from fundamental disagreements over how to achieve former President Donald Trump's ambitious immigration and deportation objectives. Sources claim Noem and Lewandowski, who serves as a special government employee at DHS, systematically attempted to make Scott's position untenable, hoping he would resign voluntarily. "The most evil was when they attacked other people in retaliation to get to [Scott]," one source revealed. "Corey Lewandowski said that he wanted to make it as tough on these people as possible, their families, their children, everybody."
This alleged strategy involved targeting Scott's inner circle to disrupt his work and apply maximum pressure. The fallout, insiders suggest, negatively impacted the families of several senior CBP staff members, creating a toxic atmosphere within the agency's leadership.
Roots of the Rift: Policy Clashes and Expired Mandates
The discord appears multifaceted. Commissioner Scott, a three-decade veteran federal agent, has reportedly voiced concerns about the duo's approach to immigration law enforcement, challenging decisions he viewed as lacking in operational experience. A significant point of contention revolves around Lewandowski's continued involvement. Sources indicate Scott believes Lewandowski's instructions carry little weight because his special government employee status, which has a 130-day cap, expired months ago. Despite this, DHS insiders confirm Lewandowski remains deeply embedded in daily operations.
Further policy disagreements emerged over Noem and Lewandowski's vision for Border Patrol assistance in Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Scott reportedly pushed back, concerned about the operational and optical implications of blending the distinct missions of CBP and ICE, fearing negative consequences for his agents.
A Pattern of Departmental Infighting
This reported feud is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of turf wars within the department tasked with executing Trump's immigration agenda, which famously fell short of its initial goal of one million deportations. Last year, reports detailed Noem's mutual disdain for Tom Homan, the former border czar. Government sources suggest much of this internecine conflict stems from officials vying to claim policy wins as their own to gain favour with the former president.
While Noem leads DHS, she lacks the direct authority to fire Scott—a power reserved for the president. The White House, when questioned, issued a statement asserting unity: "The President's entire immigration and homeland security team – including Secretary Noem and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott – are on the same page and have worked seamlessly together to deliver on the President's agenda." A DHS spokesperson echoed this sentiment.
Official Responses and Ongoing Turbulence
When contacted for comment, Commissioner Scott did not directly address the allegations. Instead, he highlighted DHS achievements, boasting of creating "the most secure border in American history" and working to implement the president's agenda with "innovative and efficient execution."
The department faces ongoing instability. Early in 2026, ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan announced her departure to run for Congress, a move that comes during a period of significant internal turbulence for the agency. Sources conclude that figures like Scott, Homan, and others are seen as threats by Noem and Lewandowski precisely because they possess institutional credibility that exists independently of political proximity or media relations.
