The political storm around Kristi Noem is no longer just about policy or power — it’s about marriage, faith and humiliation. After explosive allegations of an affair with top adviser Corey Lewandowski surfaced during a congressional hearing, members of her husband, Bryon Noem’s, family say they hope the public scandal finally forces a reckoning.
The family described the whole affair controversy as an ultimate “humiliation,” but feared he would continue to stay in the marriage due to his Christian faith and commitment to his vows, according to New York Post.
The relatives told The Post that the South Dakota businessman long felt it was his religious duty to stand behind his wife even as the public scandal rocked their marriage.
“He said he decided about 20 years ago that it was his calling from God to support her in whatever she decided to do,” one family member said.
“So he has put up with the humiliation. We will see if he sticks with her now. ”
“I think it’s him honoring the calling from God,” the family member added. “But it seems like there would be some limit to that.”
The same family member alleged tensions between the Homeland Security chief and her husband’s relatives simmered for years, and said many long knew about her romantic entanglement with Lewandowski, which spilled out into the open this week.
“She despises the Noem family,” the relative said of the axed Cabinet official.
The relative said Bryon Noem appeared determined to show solidarity with his wife even as she faced a bruising public grilling from lawmakers, and said they hoped it opened his eyes.
“I actually liked that he sat behind her while she was grilled on the ICE atrocities,” the person said. “I think he’s ignored the reality. Maybe he has to face it now.”
In a Wednesday House hearing, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) grilled Noem over rumours of her affair with Lewandowski, her top adviser and “special government employee”.
Bryon Noem left the briefing shortly before the tense questioning came up, during which Kristi Noem refused to deny her relationship with Lewandowski, a leading figure in President Trump’s 2016 campaign.
A second family member told The Post the controversy unfolding publicly was shocking, and said they hoped it would wake Bryon Noem up to the reality of his marriage.
“What gets me is she couldn’t say no,” the relative said. “When she’s getting grilled about it, she couldn’t say no.”
The relative said they also believed Bryon Noem’s Christian faith and devotion to his children would keep the marriage intact even amid the fallout.
“Bryon is a Christian man, and he believes that marriage is forever,” the relative said. “He’s very close with his children. I’m sure this is really hard on them.”
Bryon Noem did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kristi Noem was expected to leave her post at DHS at the end of the month, with sources telling The Post that her answers about her relationship with Lewandowski were the final straw for President Trump.
