Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott found himself embroiled in a contentious struggle for his position, reportedly instigated by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. According to recent claims, Noem, with the assistance of her ally Corey Lewandowski, who serves as a special government employee at the Department of Homeland Security, orchestrated a campaign to oust Scott from his role. Their discord stemmed from different approaches to achieving President Donald Trump’s ambitious deportation targets. Sources speaking to the Washington Examiner revealed that Noem and Lewandowski’s tactics aimed to pressure Scott into leaving his post, with some insiders labeling their methods as ‘evil.’ It is said that this campaign inadvertently affected the families of some senior CBP staff members, adding further tension to the situation.

In their efforts to undermine Commissioner Scott, Noem and Lewandowski reportedly targeted his close associates, thereby disrupting his work environment. According to sources, the strategy involved making life difficult for those around Scott, extending even to their families and children. One insider described the situation, stating, “Corey Lewandowski wanted to make it as tough on these people as possible.” This internal conflict is just one of many reported within the department as it struggled to meet Trump’s stringent immigration objectives, which notably fell short of his goal of 1 million deportations within his first year back in office.

Reports have also highlighted ongoing tensions between Noem and other Trump administration officials, such as Tom Homan, the so-called ‘border czar.’ Despite denials from the Department of Homeland Security and the White House regarding any infighting, government sources have suggested that such disputes often arise from officials seeking credit for policy successes. While Noem oversees DHS, she lacks the authority to dismiss Scott; only the president can make that decision. The White House has not publicly commented on Trump’s confidence in Scott but has stated that the president’s immigration and homeland security team, including Noem and Scott, are unified in their efforts to implement his agenda.

Sources tell the Examiner that Noem and Lewandowski see Scott as a threat to their success at the Department of Homeland Security. Especially since the three-decade veteran federal agent has apparently voiced concerns about the way the duo approach immigrant law enforcement. ‘[Scott] asks questions or challenges them when they make decisions that they may not have knowledge of, or should I say, have no experience with,’ one source described. Another said: ‘This is supposed to be the time that we’re supposed to be elbows to elbows and rising to the top with all the support that we have from the president, but now we have to deal with this BS instead of trying to really fix the immigration system.’ A DHS spokesperson echoed the White House and said everyone within DHS is on ‘the President’s page’ when it comes to the immigration agenda.

‘Stephen Miller, Tom Homan, Todd Lyons, Corey Lewandowski, Rodney Scott, Gregory Bovino, and Mike Banks are patriots who wake up every day to make this country and its people safer,’ the spokesperson added in a statement on the report. Scott, when reached for comment, was even less straightforward in downplaying the report. Instead, he boasted to the Daily Mail about the work DHS has done to make ‘the most secure border in American history.’ ‘We are operating with the President’s vision and innovative and efficient execution – not the old ways. We are all working to implement the President’s agenda,’ he said. It seems the issues between Scott and DHS leadership stems from the CBP Commissioner taking issue with Lewandowski working beyond his 130-day cap as a special government employee (SGE). Sources claim that this made Scott feel that any instructions he gave to Lewandowski were irrelevant.

DHS insiders confirm to the Daily Mail that Lewandowski remains highly involved in daily operations, even though since he began his tenure in February 2025, his SGE status should have expired months ago. On October 1, 2025, lead DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told the Daily Mail that Lewandowski had ’60 something’ days left in his contract, which at the very least means his SGE was over at the end of November. Lewandowski, however, has remained in his role for a year now. The Examiner report notes that sources say Scott pushed back on Noem and Lewandowski’s vision for how the Border Patrol could help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Scott was worried about optics since CBP and ICE have different missions and he felt it could have negative impacts on his Border Patrol agents if they assisted in ICE operations. ‘Noem and Lewandowski see people like Rodney Scott, Tom Homan, and Todd Lyons as threats because they carry institutional credibility that doesn’t depend on proximity to power or press,’ one source claimed. A month into 2026 and DHS already lost its Deputy Director of ICE Madison Sheahan, who the Daily Mail first reported is leaving to launch a bid for Congress in her home state of Ohio. Despite the 28-year-old’s glowing farewell email – obtained by the Daily Mail – the departure comes during a turbulent time for the agency.