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

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