Top Noem aide 'entered cockpit mid-flight to fire pilot over missing blanket'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Monday 23 February 2026 06:24 EST


Corey Lewandowski, a senior US homeland security aide, has been accused of entering the cockpit of a government jet uninvited last year before allegedly firing a pilot over a misplaced blanket. The incident, detailed by two individuals familiar with the matter, occurred during a flight with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a long-time ally of President Donald Trump, when her blanket was discovered to be missing.

These new revelations suggest Mr Lewandowski may have violated safety guidelines set by the US Coast Guard, which operated the aircraft. According to one source, he gained entry to the cockpit before the plane had reached 10,000 feet (3,048 metres) and while the seatbelt sign was still illuminated.

Federal Aviation Administration rules, several of which were tightened after 9/11, strictly limit cockpit access and prohibit interfering with aircraft crew duties. An FAA regulation also prohibits airline pilots and staff from engaging in non-essential activities or conversations in the cockpit while operating under 10,000 feet, and civil aircraft operators that violate that rule could face thousands of dollars in fines while pilots could face fines or termination.

The U.S. Coast Guard is not legally bound by the FAA's regulation, known as the "sterile cockpit rule," but has a similar policy, spelled out in a 2021 operations manual: "No person shall engage in any conversation or activity that could distract or interfere with a flight crewmember properly conducting their assigned duties during critical phases of flight."

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/corey-lewandowski-pilot-plane-trump-b2925675.html

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REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143615628

[watertiger]

1. There was probably evidence on the blanket that he did not want to get out

[Bengus81]

2. He's a fucking aide but he can fire people like PILOTS? Bullshit................

They both should have resigned right then and there and told Lewy to fly the fucking plane himself.

[JohnnyRingo]

3. He should have walked off the job.

Parachute into the local unemployment office.

[Blue Owl]

4. If I were the pilot

I might have strapped on a parachute, jumped out of the plane, and let those miserable fuckers crash and burn

[Prairie Gates]

16. ...

[Miguelito Loveless]

5. He should be banned from all Coast Guard craft

You or I would have been arrested for what he did.

[amcgrath]

6. It is a great shame

That the pilot did not have a parachute

[yorkster]

7. Since when is the effing pilot responsible

for personal items of any passenger.
He enters the cockpit midflight and uninvited?
"Homeland Security"? What a joke.

[Sweet Rosie Red]

8. What was he smoking/drinknig/shooting up?

There is obviously a new “Dr Feelgood” keeping the White House on cloud 9. It's the only rational explanation.

[Hugin]

13. Special K...

The legacy of Musk.

[riversedge]

9. This story of Kristi Noem's lost blankie gets worse as time goes on.

[twodogsbarking]

10. Another Republicant loses a blankey.

[ChazInAz]

11. Corey buddy...

I don't care who you are, if you're in an airplane in flight the pilot outranks you.Sit down, fasten your seat belt and STFU.

[Seinan Sensei]

20. And, here, I've got a thumb you can suck on

[Hugin]

12. The blanket is the metaphorical blue dress.

Nobody gets that worked up about a binki.

[Hugin]

14. Added thoughts: How can Cory possibly still be a "top aid"?

Any credible appointment authorities expired months ago.

[Prairie Gates]

15. Firing a pilot midflight plumbs new depths of stupidity only possible in a Trump regime

I mean, we all laughed at firing the pilot at the destination but then having to rehire him to get back, but firing the guy midflight is just ** chef's kiss ** peak Trumpism.

[MIButterfly]

17. And what repercussions will he face? My guess: none at all.

These people can do whatever they want whenever they want and they know it. Who's going to stop them?

Party of law and order, my ass; more like the party of smug, self-entitled idiots.

[bluestarone]

18. Jesus Christ, our government is full of the WORST OF THE WORST

LOWLIFE SCUMBAGS EVER!! How could we let America fall apart so fast? It will take a revolution to STOP these BASTARDS!!

[oasis]

19. "My blankie"

[sdfernando]

21. Perhaps the entire crew

should have donned their parachutes and left the plane??? I mean, if I'm fired why should I continue?

Really do I need this?

[purr-rat beauty]

22. Let me guess

Screwandowski left some DNA on the item

[Grokenstein]

23. MY BLANKET!! GIMME MY BLUE BLANKET!! HHHNNNN!!

(apologies to Gene Wilder, whose performance here is far more dignified than any by the puppy killer)

[Deminpenn]

24. Pilot should have requested an emergency

return to the airfield/airport, landed the plane then he and the crew should have walked off the plane and left Corey and Kristi to figure out how they were going to get to wherever they were going.

[wolfie001]

25. He's a vile madman

That's why the fat orange imbecile likes him.

[BadgerMom]

26. I want more info on the blanket.

I doubt it’s something her gran crocheted for her. I remember the stink the Republicans made when VP Harris bought some French cookware. Mon dieu! It cost more than they determined she should have spent!

My guess is this blanket is cashmere from Hermes or Gucci and cost the earth. The very fact that no outlet has asked about or reported on it convinces me further.

[Junipercity]

27. What a maroon. Aren't most pilots

Armed these days?
Wouldn't it have been funny if the pilot brought a parachute? 😆
You can't fire me! I quit!

[Klarkashton]

28. The least of that clown's problems is that he has anger management issues.

He's one nasty ass bastard.