Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pushed back at House Democrats Wednesday after being asked point-blank whether she had engaged in “sexual relations” with Corey Lewandowski — with her husband seated directly behind her.
The explosive moment came during an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, which was nominally focused on the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Things took a sharp detour when Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, California Democrat, asked Ms. Noem directly whether she had ever had “sexual relations” with Mr. Lewandowski during her tenure as DHS secretary.
Ms. Noem, visibly angered, dismissed the line of questioning as “tabloid garbage” and appealed to committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, Ohio Republican. She noted that Mr. Lewandowski serves as a special government employee at the White House — one of thousands across the federal government — and insisted he holds no sway over DHS decisions. She did not answer the question.
Ms. Kamlager-Dove pressed on, arguing the inquiry was a matter of public interest. “It is about your judgment and decision-making,” she said. “It is about conflict of interest. It is about national security risk.”
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, Florida Democrat, then picked up where his colleague left off, urging Ms. Noem to simply state “no” for the record. Ms. Noem, growing more heated, accused Mr. Moskowitz of being part of the “liberal media” and declared, “You say conservative women are stupid or sluts. I am neither.”
Mr. Lewandowski, a Trump ally who managed the president’s 2016 campaign, currently serves as a special adviser at DHS. Both he and Ms. Noem have previously denied the claims. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the two had a “close relationship” that left President Trump and his advisors uncomfortable.
Ms. Noem’s husband, Bryon, attended Wednesday’s hearing and was seated in the row directly behind her as the questions were posed.
Prior to the exchange, Ms. Noem had navigated the hearing without major incident, with Republicans largely shielding her from Democratic lines of attack.
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