Speculation is mounting over a potential shakeup in President Donald Trump's cabinet, with tensions reportedly rising over the influence of political operative Corey Lewandowski within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to sources, some White House officials are discussing the possible departure of at least two department heads after the first anniversary of Trump's second inauguration in January.
While Trump's cabinet has been notably stable compared to the upheaval of his first term, CNN reported on Friday that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem could be at risk. Noem, a former South Dakota governor, was appointed after being dropped from the vice presidential shortlist following backlash over her admission of shooting her family's dog. Despite public praise from Trump, behind-the-scenes concerns have grown over Lewandowski's role as an unpaid senior adviser to Noem.
Lewandowski, who briefly managed Trump's 2016 campaign, is officially a temporary “special government employee” limited to 130 working days per year. A DHS spokesperson confirmed he has 40 days remaining before the clock resets on January 20. However, administration aides are worried about his outsized influence, with reports of him reprimanding officials and involving himself in personnel decisions. One source told CNN that DHS “is being mismanaged” due to Lewandowski, and the issue has been raised with Trump.
A tense Oval Office meeting in September between Trump, Noem, and Lewandowski reportedly left the president irritated. Despite this, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied any shakeup, stating, “The cabinet is not changing no matter how much CNN wishes that it would.”
