Lewandowski Fired Coast Guard Pilot Over Noem's Blanket, Then Rehired Him

Corey Lewandowski, Noem's unofficial chief of staff, exercised firing authority over military personnel in an incident involving the secretary's misplaced blanket.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Corey Lewandowski, who functions as an unpaid special government employee and unofficial chief of staff for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, fired a Coast Guard pilot for leaving Noem's blanket on a plane during an official trip. However, Lewandowski later had to rehire the pilot when he realized there was no one else available to fly the party home.

Why it matters

The incident highlights Lewandowski's outsized influence and lack of accountability within the Department of Homeland Security, where he operates in a bureaucratic gray zone despite having no official title. His ability to fire and rehire military personnel raises concerns about the proper chain of command and the influence of personal relationships over government operations.

The details

The plane had been switched due to a maintenance issue, and the blanket stayed behind. The pilot was fired by Lewandowski, but then rehired on the spot when Lewandowski realized there was no one else available to fly the party home. The report did not specify when or where the incident occurred.

  • The incident occurred at an unspecified time during an official trip.

The players

Corey Lewandowski

An unpaid special government employee who functions as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's unofficial chief of staff.

Kristi Noem

The Homeland Security Secretary whose blanket was left on the plane, leading to the firing and rehiring of the Coast Guard pilot.

Rodney Scott

The former CBP Commissioner who was told by Lewandowski that he would no longer take orders from him because his 130-day window had expired, leading to retaliation against Scott's chief of staff and deputy.

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What they’re saying

“You can't do that, it's pretty obvious! You can't do that, everyone's going to know!”

— President Trump (The Washington Post)

“I'm surprised that they've kind of let this fester as long as it has.”

— An unnamed person close to the administration (The Washington Post)

What’s next

The incident raises questions about Lewandowski's authority and the proper chain of command within the Department of Homeland Security. It is unclear if any further action will be taken to address Lewandowski's role and influence within the department.

The takeaway

The story of Lewandowski firing and then rehiring a Coast Guard pilot over a misplaced blanket highlights the concerning lack of accountability and the blurring of lines between personal relationships and government operations within the Department of Homeland Security under the current administration.