Kate Laurensen is a veteran reporter. She started out covering entertainment news for the local city paper before moving up to the City desk. She studied journalism at San Francisco City College for the Arts.
February 13 , 2026
Washington — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem received an unexpected Valentine’s Day gift this week: a young puppy delivered to her office by Corey Lewandowski, a senior adviser with close ties to Noem. The gesture drew attention on Friday in political circles already abuzz with ongoing speculation about the nature of the relationship between the two officials.
The small dog, a mixed-breed pup adorned with a red ribbon, arrived just ahead of Saturday’s commercial Valentine’s Day observances. A spokesperson for Noem’s office declined to discuss the gift’s provenance in detail, saying only that Noem appreciated the “thoughtful gesture.” Lewandowski’s camp also offered no comment on the origins of the present or any personal significance attached to it. Noem is known to have a special affection for dogs.
The exchange occurred against a backdrop of persistent rumors in Washington about Noem and Lewandowski’s relationship. For years, reporting and commentary have described the pair’s close professional partnership — Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security and Lewandowski as a long-time political operative and adviser — in terms that some have characterized as an open secret within the capital. Both figures have repeatedly denied any romantic involvement, and both are married to other people.
Observers say the puppy gift, whether intended as a genuine token of friendship or something more, is unlikely to diminish speculation. “This isn’t the kind of gesture you usually see between two professional colleagues,” said one former administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “People will read a lot more into it simply because there’s already so much chatter.”
Noem’s tenure at DHS has been marked by intense public scrutiny on multiple fronts, including personnel dynamics within the department and high-profile operational decisions. Recent coverage has highlighted Lewandowski’s unusual role as a special government employee with significant informal influence, as well as the enduring nature of the rumor mill surrounding the two.
Despite the attention, neither Noem nor Lewandowski has publicly linked the gift to their personal lives. As of Friday, the puppy remained in Noem’s office, where staffers said it had already become something of a morale booster amid a busy policy season.
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