Washington insiders have revealed details of an alleged affair between Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her chief of staff, Corey Lewandowski, both of whom are married to others. A forthcoming book by Julia Ainsley reports that the relationship is widely known in D.C. and has caused tension within the White House, especially with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. The book also alleges that Lewandowski exercises significant influence over Noem's decisions at DHS, despite their denials of any romantic involvement. Recent incidents, including a controversy over a government jet and a leaked story about an overheard interaction, have intensified speculation about their relationship.
Kristi Noem claimed that employees in her department installed spyware on her phone and laptop to spy on her, a discovery she said was aided by Elon Musk and his team. She also reported finding secret files in a secure room on a university campus, which have been turned over to attorneys. Noem's allegations come amid scrutiny over the Department of Homeland Security's surveillance practices and internal resistance claims within federal agencies.
Governor Mikie Sherrill opposed the Department of Homeland Security's plan to convert a Roxbury warehouse into an ICE detention facility, citing concerns over community impact, lack of transparency, and inhumane treatment at other centers. She pledged to explore all legal options to protect local interests and safety if DHS proceeds without addressing these issues.
The Pentagon announced it will review and potentially cease support for Scouting America if the organization does not implement certain policy changes, including removing its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. These changes follow the organization's efforts to rebrand and expand its inclusive policies, such as accepting LGBTQ+ youth and girls in its programs. The Pentagon criticizes the organization’s stance on social issues, claiming it has diverged from core values, and has expressed intentions to re-evaluate its partnership amid ongoing concerns.
A new book claims that President Donald Trump viewed Kristi Noem's history of shooting her dog as an asset, influencing her appointment to his cabinet and her role in implementing his immigration policies. The book describes chaos within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and highlights the influential role of Corey Lewandowski, Noem’s advisor, who is accused of wielding unchecked power and pushing for harsh detention practices. Noem’s personal anecdotes and leadership style have drawn public and political criticism amidst ongoing debates over border security.
Anthropic, an AI safety company, refused to comply with the Pentagon's demands to drop safety precautions and grant military access to their AI system Claude, despite threats to cancel a $200 million contract and invoke the Defense Production Act. CEO Dario Amodei stated the company cannot in good conscience weaken safeguards that prevent mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. The dispute has involved public accusations, with Department of Defense officials criticizing Amodei’s stance and intentions.
An internal ICE email revealed that the agency is struggling to vet new recruits amid a large hiring surge driven by the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. The email outlined procedures for handling allegations of past misconduct among recruits, raising concerns about the quality and background checks of officers. Critics, including Democrats and former ICE officials, have warned that rapid recruitment may lead to unqualified or dangerous personnel being hired, potentially increasing misconduct risks.
The Trump administration has employed tactics such as investigations, subpoenas, and searches to intimidate and silence critical media and watchdog organizations, exemplified by the FTC's investigation of Media Matters for America. These actions aim to suppress free speech and discourage investigative journalism, with similar efforts seen across federal agencies targeting journalists, social media accounts, and organizations critical of government policies. A coalition of non-profit and advocacy groups has filed briefs in court to challenge these measures and defend free speech rights.
Four volunteers observing ICE appointments at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in San Diego were cited for loitering by Federal Protective Service officials, marking the first time they have been actioned for this activity. The volunteers, who have documented arrests and offered prayers for detained immigrants, dispute that their presence constitutes loitering and plan to contest the citation in federal court. The incident raises questions about First Amendment rights and the legality of restrictions on observation activities in federal spaces.
Emergency calls and records reveal that at least 11 children at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas have been treated for serious medical issues, including respiratory distress, fevers, and seizures, since September. Most children were transported to local hospitals, with some requiring transfer to specialized pediatric facilities, raising concerns about the adequacy of medical care and conditions at the detention center. Pediatric experts and advocates criticize detention of children, citing risks to health and delays in providing appropriate treatment, and have called for the release of all children held there. The Department of Homeland Security and facility operators have denied claims of inadequate care, asserting that children receive proper medical attention.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston signed an executive order prohibiting ICE from using city-owned property for immigration enforcement activities unless accompanied by a court order, and directing local law enforcement to protect peaceful protesters. Experts consider the order largely symbolic and potentially unenforceable, citing constitutional issues with barring federal agents from city property. The order aims to limit ICE activities within Denver and enhance protections for residents amid national immigration enforcement tensions.
The Supreme Court, in The GEO Group v. Menocal, rejected an ICE contractor's attempt to immediately appeal a district court judgment related to detainees challenging conditions at an ICE facility. Justice Elena Kagan's opinion clarified that defenses based on liability, like the one invoked in this case, do not qualify for immediate appellate review under the finality rule, which generally restricts appeals to final district court decisions. The ruling emphasizes the distinction between merits defenses and immunity defenses, with only the latter being effectively unreviewable before trial, and confirms that contracts do not automatically grant immunity to private government contractors. The decision directs that proceedings against the contractor should continue in district court.
