Noem repositions as special envoy following cabinet departure
Noem appointed special envoy; Mullin nominated for her former DHS role.
Event / Politics
Kristi Noem Personal and Political Crisis
Former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's departure from the Trump administration following multiple controversies, including relationship inquiries, policy criticism, and departmental spending concerns, alongside personal matters.
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2026-09-30 to 2026-10-31 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 30 Sept, 00:18 UTC
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What happened
Kristi Noem appointed as special envoy for Shield of the Americas
Following her ouster as DHS Secretary, President Trump named Kristi Noem as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas, a security initiative and coalition focused on the Western Hemisphere involving the United States and Latin American governments.
Markwayne Mullin nominated to replace Noem as DHS Secretary
President Trump nominated Markwayne Mullin, then a U.S. senator from Oklahoma, to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing the ousted Kristi Noem.
Kristi Noem was ousted as DHS Secretary in March 2026
Kristi Noem, who served as Secretary of Homeland Security from January 2025 to March 2026, was fired by President Donald Trump. She was tasked with leading Trump's immigration crackdown during her tenure as the head of the Department of Homeland Security.
Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem files for divorce from husband of 34 years
Kristi Noem, former Secretary of Homeland Security, filed for divorce from her husband Bryon Noem after more than 34 years of marriage. The couple married in May 1992 and have three children. The divorce complaint was signed in April and filed with Hamlin County court in South Dakota on Monday, citing irreconcilable differences as the grounds for dissolution.
Congressional inquiry into Noem's relationship with chief adviser Corey Lewandowski
A day before her ouster from the DHS, members of Congress questioned Kristi Noem about an alleged extramarital affair with Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee who served as one of her lead advisers. Lewandowski was Trump's first campaign manager in 2016 and held an outsized role in Noem's department despite restrictions on his position. Noem denied the allegations, dismissing them as tabloid gossip.
Immigration officers shoot and kill two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis
Two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were shot and killed by immigration officers in Minneapolis. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem characterized both individuals as aggressors, contradicting video evidence from the scene and eyewitness accounts of their deaths.
Report reveals Byron Noem's cross-dressing activities and online communications
The Daily Mail published a report in March 2026 claiming that Byron Noem engaged in cross-dressing and maintained online communications with fetish models. The report included hundreds of messages allegedly involving women from the 'bimbofication' scene and photos reportedly showing Byron wearing fake breasts and women's clothing. Byron did not deny these claims when contacted by media outlets.
House Judiciary Committee questions Kristi Noem about alleged affair with Corey Lewandowski
During a March 4, 2026 hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove questioned Kristi Noem about alleged sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski, a Trump adviser and former campaign manager. Noem responded by characterizing the line of questioning as 'peddling tabloid garbage.' Lewandowski, who works as a special government employee for the White House, has also denied allegations of an affair.
President Trump responds to Byron Noem cross-dressing report
President Donald Trump responded to the Daily Mail report about Byron Noem's cross-dressing activities by expressing sympathy, stating 'Wow, well, I feel badly for the family if that's the case, that's too bad.'
Kristi Noem dismissed from DHS position by President Trump
Kristi Noem was fired from her position as Secretary of Homeland Security by President Donald Trump on March 5, 2026, amid national backlash over her department's recent immigration enforcement tactics.
Kristi Noem files for divorce from husband Byron Noem
Kristi Noem, former Secretary of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump, officially filed for divorce from her husband Byron Noem in South Dakota court in April 2026. The divorce filing cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the grounds for the split. Court documents appeared in Hamlin County's online court service on Monday following the filing.
Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski spotted together in Minnesota
In August 2026, the New York Post reported that Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski were spotted biking and dining together along the shores of Lake Minnetonka near Minneapolis. Noem reportedly wore a hat to avoid detection while Lewandowski wore sunglasses. Multiple sources told the Post they believed the two were still in a romantic relationship.
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2 alternative perspectives
Noem's institutional ties severed as personal upheaval deepens
Noem ends 34-year marriage after DHS dismissal amid congressional scrutiny.
New details emerge about son's private life amid family upheaval
Report reveals Byron Noem's private activities; Trump responds amid family crisis.
Noem faces cascade of personal and political upheaval simultaneously
Noem faces divorce, cabinet dismissal, and congressional investigation into alleged affair amid political crisis.