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Corey Lewandowski

Republican political operative, former Trump campaign manager and DHS adviser

Personal details

Full name
Corey Ryan Lewandowski
Born
September 18, 1973 · Lowell, Massachusetts
Education
University of Massachusetts Lowell; American University
Spouse
Alison Hardy (married 2005; reported)
Children
Four (reported)
Career
Americans for Prosperity; Trump campaign manager (2015–June 2016); DHS adviser (2025–March 2026)

Corey Lewandowski is an American Republican political strategist and former lobbyist. He was the first manager of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and served as a senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in 2025–2026.

Early career and political organizing

Lewandowski grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts, and studied at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and American University. His early career included Republican campaign roles, public-affairs work and Americans for Prosperity, where he worked on regional operations and voter registration programs before joining the Trump campaign in 2015.

2016 campaign and consulting

He managed Trump’s campaign during the Republican primaries and was removed from that role in June 2016. He subsequently appeared as a political commentator and co-founded Avenue Strategies. He returned to Trump campaign activity in later election cycles. His involvement and reported coordination with various political actors should be dated to particular campaign roles rather than treated as evidence of an uninterrupted official position.

Department of Homeland Security

Lewandowski served as an unpaid special government employee and senior adviser to Kristi Noem during her tenure as DHS secretary. DHS confirmed on March 28, 2026 that he no longer had a role at the department.

In October 2026 CBS News reported that the Justice Department was examining allegations concerning possible personal financial benefit linked to DHS contracting during Noem’s tenure. The report said Lewandowski had not been charged; his attorney denied wrongdoing. An investigation is not an adjudication or proof of improper conduct.

References

  1. Ballotpedia — Corey Lewandowski career and DHS role
  2. PBS Frontline — Corey Lewandowski oral history
  3. Washington Post — Corey Lewandowski 2016 background
  4. CBS News — October 2026 DOJ inquiry into Lewandowski allegations
  5. Reuters — March 28, 2026 DHS departure confirmation

Research assembled from sources available as of November 13, 2026. Correctly dated records take priority over later summaries. Unresolved relationships are omitted from public-facing narrative.

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Documented connections

These are specifically described relationships in public records. A shared institution, appointment or event does not by itself demonstrate coordination or wrongdoing.