The husband of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made a rare public appearance after weeks of growing speculation that his wife was involved in an affair with one of his top aides.
In a video posted to Noem’s X account and recorded at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the 54-year-old secretary can be seen standing in front of security. In the video, she told viewers, “I’m just sending my husband off, he’s going back to South Dakota,” as she waved to her husband, Brian Noem, who waved back as he went through security.
“Democrats in Congress are getting paid, but they are withholding wages from @TSA workers,” Noem wrote in the post, referring to the impasse on Capitol Hill over funding for the Department of Homeland Security following the repeated killings of U.S. citizens by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Brian Noem./Secretary Kristy Noem/X
“Congressional Democrats have chosen not to fund @DHSgov, which means all TSA workers on the scene today are not being paid,” Noem continued. “TSA staff work hard to make sure you and your loved ones can fly safely. This kind of political showmanship only makes it difficult for them and their families.”
“If you see a TSA officer today, please thank them!”
Christie Noem/X
In response to a request for comment, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Daily Beast, “While The Daily Beast further disparages itself, we are focused on the fact that Democrats have chosen to withhold the wages of the men and women of the Transportation Security Administration, which harms America’s national security.”
Bryan’s appearance in the video follows weeks of reporting on the nature of his wife’s relationship with top aide Corey Lewandowski, including an explosive report from The Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Noem and Lewandowski have been traveling using a private jet designed for “high-profile deportations” — a plane that DHS staffers dubbed Noem’s “big, beautiful plane.”
Bryon Noem, husband of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. /Anna Money Tree/Getty Images
The Wall Street Journal also reported that after a blanket used by Noem was left on another plane, Levandowski became furious and fired the U.S. Coast Guard member who was flying the plane, but was forced to rehire them after it was discovered that no one else could take the two men home.
A Coast Guard official said the incident was just one source of friction between Noem and the Coast Guard, the only military branch overseen by the Department of Homeland Security.
The outlet also reported that Levandowski, 52, drew outrage when he sought a law enforcement badge and a federal-issued gun despite having no law enforcement training.
Both Corey Lewandowski and Kristi Noem have been rumored to be in a relationship for years, even though they are both married to other people. /Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images
Lewandowski, who is classified as a special government employee, has been serving as Noem’s de facto chief of staff, although his position only allows him to work 130 days a year without disclosing or giving away his business interests.
In August, White House officials reportedly investigated whether Lewandowski had exceeded those hours and might have fudged the numbers to stay with Noem.
As speculation continues to grow around the pair’s relationship – which one FEMA official called “the worst-kept secret in Washington, D.C.” – President Donald Trump has been forced to address the rumors, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that he knows nothing about it.
“I don’t know,” Trump responded, adding, “I mean, I haven’t heard of it.”
“I would look it up, but I haven’t heard of it.” That statement is at odds with reports about the president’s behavior in public, which suggest he was fully aware of the incident and made fun of the two men about it.
