Mon Sep 22 21:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article rewrite:

**Summary:**

A *New York Magazine* cover story claims that Corey Lewandowski, not DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, is actually running the Department of Homeland Security. DHS vehemently denies this, calling the story “libelous” and based on “anonymous gossip.” They emphasize that Noem makes all decisions and that Lewandowski serves only as an advisor. DHS defends Noem’s record, highlighting her focus on border security, deportation of criminals, and improvements in the Coast Guard and TSA, while facing regular death threats. *New York Magazine* defends its reporting, stating the story was carefully researched and fact-checked with multiple sources.

**News Article:**

**DHS Fires Back at ‘Libelous’ New York Magazine Story Alleging Lewandowski is Running the Agency**

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is fiercely disputing a *New York Magazine* cover story that alleges Corey Lewandowski, a former Trump campaign manager and current senior advisor, is effectively running the agency instead of Secretary Kristi Noem.

In an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slammed the *New York Magazine* report as “lazy” and “libelous,” accusing the publication of “peddling anonymous gossip as fact.” McLaughlin stated unequivocally that Secretary Noem makes all decisions at DHS, and that Lewandowski serves solely as an advisor.

“All decisions are made by Secretary Noem,” McLaughlin said. “Multiple staff have the ability to provide recommendations and input for her consideration. Mr. Lewandowski serves as an advisor.”

The *New York Magazine* cover depicts Noem as merely the “face” of the agency, with Lewandowski as the “muscle.” The article also criticizes DHS’s increase in deportations under Noem’s leadership, portraying it as a sign of an emerging police state.

DHS strongly defended Noem’s record, highlighting her efforts to secure the border, deport illegal migrants, and improve the Coast Guard and TSA. McLaughlin stated that Noem has “slashed taxpayer waste by over $12 billion” and has overseen the removal of “2 million illegal aliens.”

DHS also revealed that Secretary Noem faces regular death threats due to the agency’s work targeting terrorist organizations, cartels, and criminal rings. They said this is the reason why she resides in U.S. Coast Guard military housing in Washington D.C.

*New York Magazine* defended its reporting in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Our Washington correspondent spoke with more than a dozen current and former DHS staffers, as well as Trump administration officials, lobbyists, consultants, immigration experts, and former colleagues of Noem in South Dakota,” said Lauren Starke, a spokesperson for *New York Magazine*. “There is a public interest in government accountability, and we stand by this story.”

The dispute highlights the ongoing political battles surrounding immigration and homeland security policy in the Trump administration.

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