Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from Bryon Noem after 34 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences in court documents.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES
Former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, ending a marriage that lasted 34 years.
The divorce complaint was filed in April in Hamlin County, South Dakota, and was posted online in late September. The filing lists “irreconcilable differences” as the grounds for ending the marriage.
Kristi and Bryon Noem married in May 1992 and have three children. Their attorney confirmed the divorce filing, while saying Kristi Noem would reserve further comments for the legal proceedings.
Bryon Noem’s attorney, Tim Bottum, said his client was saddened by the end of the marriage and would address his perspective if court proceedings require it.
“Bryon’s priority is to protect the family and move forward as loving parents and grandparents,” Bottum said in a statement.
Divorce follows scrutiny over adviser relationship
The filing comes months after Noem faced questions in Washington about her relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a former senior adviser who worked as a special government employee in her Department of Homeland Security role.
Members of Congress questioned Noem about allegations of an extramarital relationship with Lewandowski shortly before she left the Trump administration.
Noem denied the allegations, describing them at the time as “tabloid garbage.” The allegations were not cited in the divorce filing as a reason for the separation.
Lewandowski previously served as Donald Trump’s campaign manager during his 2016 presidential campaign. During Noem’s tenure at DHS, he became one of her advisers, a role that subsequently drew congressional scrutiny.
Noem’s political career
Noem served as governor of South Dakota from 2019 until 2025, after previously representing the state in Congress.
Trump appointed her secretary of Homeland Security in January 2025, placing her in charge of an administration-wide immigration enforcement agenda.
She remained in the position until March 2026, when Trump replaced her with Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Noem was subsequently appointed as a special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a new U.S. security initiative focused on the Western Hemisphere.
Her tenure at DHS also attracted congressional scrutiny over the department’s handling of immigration enforcement and its response to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during encounters involving immigration officers in Minneapolis.
Family now at center of divorce
The divorce filing marks a major personal development for Noem after more than three decades of marriage.
The couple built their family and public lives in South Dakota, where Kristi Noem rose from state politics to become governor and later a member of President Trump’s Cabinet.
Bryon Noem has generally remained outside elected office, although he accompanied his wife during some of her public appearances and congressional hearings while she served in Washington.
Their three children are now adults, and the couple have also become grandparents.
Neither side has publicly provided details about the circumstances behind the decision to end the marriage beyond the “irreconcilable differences” cited in the court filing. The case is now proceeding through South Dakota’s legal system.
