Corey Lewandowski, a key figure in Donald Trump’s inner circle, finds himself under intense scrutiny as the White House investigates claims of manipulating his work hours.

According to The Daily Mail, Lewandowski, a longtime Trump adviser and former 2016 campaign manager, is accused of undercounting his days as a special government employee at the Department of Homeland Security. Reports suggest he’s been using other employees’ badges to enter government buildings, sidestepping the digital record of his presence.

Adding fuel to the fire, sources claim he avoids using his official government email and phone for business, seemingly to dodge any traceable footprint. This isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about whether a trusted aide is bending rules to suit his own agenda.

Allegations of Overstepping Work Limits

Lewandowski’s role as a special government employee at DHS comes with strict limits, capped at 130 unpaid workdays per year. Yet, four unnamed White House officials, as reported by Axios, assert he’s likely exceeded that threshold while acting as de facto chief of staff to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

The White House Counsel’s Office issued a government-wide memo on July 3, reminding such employees of their restrictions and how to tally their days. While an official insisted to the Daily Mail that this wasn’t aimed at anyone specific, subsequent talks between DHS and White House counsel about Lewandowski’s status suggest otherwise.

“We’re hearing that Corey’s doing everything, failing to swipe in, working from home, whatever, to undercount his days,” an anonymous White House official told Axios. That kind of accusation isn’t just a procedural quibble; it points to a deliberate attempt to skirt accountability in a system already strained by public skepticism.

Ties to Noem and Internal Tensions

Lewandowski’s close relationship with Noem has raised eyebrows, especially since Trump reportedly blocked her from officially naming him chief of staff at the administration’s outset. Despite that, he’s allegedly introduced himself as such on at least one occasion, ignoring the president’s directive.

Rumors of a personal connection between the two, which both have denied, have only deepened the unease within DHS. Some officials, according to Axios, are hesitant to challenge him, fearing repercussions given his proximity to power.

“Everybody’s scared sh*tless” of Lewandowski, a former DHS official bluntly told Axios. If true, that kind of fear speaks volumes about how influence can trump protocol in the halls of government, a dynamic that rarely serves the public interest.

History of Controversy and Pushback

Lewandowski’s track record with Trump is a mixed bag, from managing the 2016 campaign to being sidelined from leadership roles in the 2024 effort. Just two months after joining as a senior adviser, campaign brass redirected him to surrogate work in New Hampshire, per The Guardian, signaling not all trust him with the reins.

At DHS, his presence continues to stir unrest, with White House officials now actively monitoring his timecard after these allegations surfaced. “It’s fair to say his work is being watched now,” an official told Axios, a statement that sounds less like reassurance and more like a warning shot.

A DHS spokesperson defended the process, telling the Daily Mail, “Mr. Lewandowski’s time is kept by a career DHS employee who submits the paperwork on a bi-weekly basis. He has served 69 days.” But if the claims of badge-swapping and off-the-books work hold water, those numbers might not tell the whole story, and taxpayers deserve clarity over cozy arrangements.

Accountability in the Spotlight

This isn’t merely about one man’s hours; it’s about whether the rules apply equally in an administration often criticized for playing fast and loose with norms. Lewandowski’s alleged actions, if proven, feed into a broader narrative of distrust in how power operates behind closed doors.

The White House and DHS now face a test of whether they’ll enforce limits or let influence shield questionable behavior. For an administration that’s championed draining the swamp, allowing such loopholes to persist would be a bitter irony to those who voted for change.

Ultimately, the public isn’t asking for perfection, just transparency. If Lewandowski has overstepped, let the facts come out, and let the consequences follow, no matter how connected he is to the top.