Is Kristi Noem facing criminal charges amid Corey Lewandowski row? What to know after House hearing

Kristi Noem's alleged affair with Corey Lewandowski surfaced at her recent hearing. Democrats may consider a criminal probe but no criminal charges yet.

Updated on: Mar 13, 2026 6:31 AM IST

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Kristi Nome has had a tumultuous few weeks after she was grilled over her alleged affair with Trump advisor Corey Lewandowsky at a US House Judiciary Committee hearing. Shortly after, she was fired by President Donald Trump as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Kristi Noem at a working lunch at the Shield of the Americas Summit at Trump National Doral Miami, in Florida. (via REUTERS)

The hearing, now concluded, brought Noem's personal life into focus, be it her husband, Bryon Noem or their three children. But what's even more concerning for the former DHS boss is the possibility of a criminal investigation against her.

Democrat members of the US House Judiciary Committee are reportedly considering a criminal investigation into Noem. She was answering the Committee's questions on controversies surrounding the DHS, namely, the immigration crackdowns, $200 million spent on advertisements, and Noem's affair with Lewandoski.

But, as of now, criminal charges against Noem are only a faraway consideration. The House Judiciary Committee will first have to approve an investigation into Noem, and charges can be brought only if sufficient grounds to do so can be found.

Both Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski have denied the allegations. But it raised ethical concerns due to Lewandowski’s political influence and advisory role.

Noem's term as the DHS Secretary comes to an end on March 31 after Trump fired her. Per reports, Democrats are considering whether to impeach her and start a probe before she departs the agency.

Also read: Who is Bryon Noem? 5 things about Kristi Noem's husband amid Corey Lewandowski affair question

What Are The Allegations Against Kristi Noem?

The outgoing Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is facing multiple allegations over her handling of the agency. The hearing on the allegations came amidst the recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota and other cities.

Noem was questioned in alleged violations of court orders by agents during immigration raids and the death of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota. She was also asked about the $200 million spent on advertising by the DHS during her tenure, as well as the alleged affair with Lewandowski.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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