SIOUX FALLS, SD (AP) — Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem filed for divorce from her husband of 34 years.
Noem, who was responsible for leading President Donald Trump’s agenda immigration crackdown from January 2025 to March 2026 and previously governor of South Dakota, files for divorce from Bryon Noem in his home state. The two married in May 1992 and have three children.
The filing, submitted to the court in April but posted online Monday, follows questions raised earlier this year about the nature of Kristi Noem’s relationship with a top adviser. The suit, filed in Hamlin County, South Dakota, cites “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the divorce.
Kristi Noem’s lawyer, Michael Sabers, confirmed that she had filed for divorce and said she would reserve further comment for the legal proceedings.
Tim Bottum, Bryon Noem’s lawyer, said his client was “saddened that the marriage is ending” and would be happy to share his views if legal proceedings were necessary.
“Bryon’s priority is to protect the family and move forward as loving parents and grandparents,” Bottom said in a statement.
One day before Noem was ousted from her position In Trump’s cabinet, members of Congress questioned her about an alleged extramarital affair with Corey Lewandowskia special government employee and one of its main advisors at the time. He served as Trump’s first campaign manager in 2016 and appeared to play an outsized role in Noem’s department, even though his position was supposed to limit the number of days worked.
Noem has denied allegations that they had an affair, calling them “tabloid trash.”
Once a close Trump ally, Noem became a liability to the Republican president as questions arose about her conduct after the shooting death of two demonstrators in Minneapolis, at the hands of immigration agents. Noem characterized both Renee Bonne And Alex Pretti as attackers, contradicting videos of the scene and descriptions of their deaths by bystanders. She has also been criticized by her Republican colleagues for her spending in her department.
Trump nominated Markwayne Mullinthen-U.S. senator from Oklahoma, in Noem’s place and made her a special envoy for the Americas Shield, a new security initiative focused on the Western Hemisphere.
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Schoenbaum reported from Salt Lake City.
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