Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, on Sept. 28 in Hamlin County, South Dakota, according to court documents cited by People. The filing after 34 years of marriage follows months of political fallout, including her dismissal from the Trump administration in March and swirling allegations of misconduct reported by NBC News and The Daily Mail.
Divorce Filing in South Dakota
Kristi Noem, 54, filed the paperwork to dissolve her marriage to Bryon Noem after more than three decades together. The couple married in 1992 and share three adult children alongside grandchildren. Neither Kristi nor Bryon Noem responded to requests for comment from People regarding the Hamlin County filing.
The separation follows a turbulent spring that saw high-profile personnel changes within federal immigration enforcement. U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Kristi Noem in March from her cabinet post leading the administration’s aggressive deportation operations.
Congressional Hearing and Misconduct Allegations
An internal controversy preceded the divorce filing. In early March, NBC News reported that accusations of infidelity played a role in Kristi Noem’s departure from the Trump administration. During a congressional hearing that same month, Bryon Noem sat directly behind his wife as she faced pointed questions about her professional conduct.
Lawmakers pressed the former cabinet secretary regarding rumors of an affair with her senior advisor and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who is also married. When asked directly by a committee member if she had maintained a sexual relationship with Lewandowski, Kristi Noem replied that she was “shocked that we in this committee rouse around in tabloid garbage,” stopping short of a direct denial.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(489x244:491x246)/kristi-noem-husband-bryon-noem-3-020326-00c73fdc88614522aeeed145feaf1b19.jpg "Kristi Noem Files for Divorce")
While both Noem and Lewandowski rejected the rumors as “despicable lies,” sources speaking to The Wall Street Journal alleged the pair made little effort to conceal a relationship inside the department. Those sources noted the two frequently utilized a luxury 737 MAX aircraft featuring a private compartment at the rear for travel across the United States.
Previous Reports Concerning Bryon Noem
Tabloid scrutiny also targeted Bryon Noem months prior to the divorce filing. In April, The Daily Mail reported that he allegedly spent at least $25,000 interacting on an adult chat website while also sharing photographs of himself dressed in feminine clothing and wearing what appeared to be fake breasts.
A representative for Kristi Noem spoke to The New York Post regarding those disclosures. “Mrs. Noem is crushed,” the representative said. “The family is blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at this present time.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Noem Divorce
When and where did Kristi Noem file for divorce?
Kristi Noem filed for divorce on Sept. 28 in Hamlin County, South Dakota, according to court documents obtained by People.
How long were Kristi and Bryon Noem married?
The couple married in 1992, marking 34 years of marriage before the divorce filing.
What reasons were linked to Kristi Noem’s departure from the Trump administration?
According to NBC News, allegations of infidelity involving a senior advisor contributed to President Donald Trump’s decision to dismiss her from her cabinet position in March.
Related reading