Kristi Noem pictured taking Corey Lewandowski on official visit to South America amid claims of tax-payer funded affair

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been pictured taking her close adviser, Corey Lewandowski, on an official visit to South America amid claims the two are having a taxpayer-funded affair.

The U.S. Embassy in Guyana shared photos of Noem’s visit, where in two of which Lewandowski was pictured sitting next to her, Wednesday.

“Kristi Noem held a meeting with His Excellency President Irfaan Ali and Guyanese government officials to reaffirm the enduring U.S.-Guyana partnership,” the embassy wrote on X. “Their discussions focused on joint efforts to disrupt cartel and transnational criminal activity, strengthen border security, discourage illegal immigration, and promote economic opportunity.”

Earlier this month, Donald Trump announced that Noem’s tenure leading the Homeland Security Department, in which she oversaw the president’s massive immigration crackdown, was ending. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma was subsequently confirmed by the Senate and sworn into the role.

Despite her ouster from the Homeland Security Department, Trump is keeping Noem in his orbit, albeit in a diminished role by appointing her the special envoy to his new security initiative in the Western Hemisphere called “The Shield of Americas.”

The initiative brings together leaders of several South American countries to commit to stopping drug cartels. Guyana was one stop on Noem’s tour, where she also visited the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica and Ecuador, according to Reuters.

Noem and Lewandowski traveled on a Homeland Security Department plane, Reuters reported. The department would not confirm the “whereabouts of our plane” to the publication.

The Independent has reached out to the State Department, the U.S. Embassy in Guyana and the Homeland Security Department for comment.

Noem and Lewandowski’s relationship has been scrutinized over allegations that the pair, who are both married to other people, are having an affair. Both have denied the rumors.

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this month, Noem was asked by Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a California Democrat, minutes after Noem’s husband, Bryon, left the room, “At any time during you tenure as director of the Department of Homeland Security, have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?”

“I am shocked we are going down and peddling tabloid garbage today at this committee,” Noem replied.

Photos of Lewandowski by Noem’s side on her trip have sparked backlash online.

Meghan McCain, a conservative media personality and the daughter of the late Republican Senator John McCain, wrote on X, “Kristi Noem – you brought Corey Lewendowski [sic] with you to Guyana after just being fired from your last job after being asked in front of congress if you’re in an unprofessional relationship with him….

“GIRL WHAT IS YOU DOING?!?”

Billy Binion, a reporter for the libertarian Reason magazine, wrote, “Why are my taxpayer dollars funding Corey Lewandowski’s travel to Guyana? How is that remotely acceptable?”

“Nice to see Corey Lewandowski continuing his work with the ambassador to the shield of the Americas,” CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski wrote.

Olivia Gazis, intelligence and national security reporter for CBS News, wrote that U.S. and state officials told the outlet Lewandowski is not employed by the State Department and there is no job lined up for him there in the future.

The officials added that the photos of Noem with Lewandowski are not from a State Department trip, adding that Noem departed for South America days ago while still in her capacity as Homeland Security secretary.