Kristi Noem Files for Divorce After 34 Years

Published: 01 October 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Former US Homeland Security Secretary and former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, after 34 years of marriage, according to court records.

The divorce filing, submitted in South Dakota, lists “irreconcilable differences” as the grounds for the case. The document was signed by Noem’s attorney, Michael Sabers, in April and became publicly available several months later.

The filing marks the latest development in a period of significant public scrutiny surrounding Noem’s personal life and political career. She served as President Donald Trump’s Homeland Security secretary from January 2025 until March 2026, when she was removed from the administration and replaced by Senator Markwayne Mullin.

Noem and Bryon Noem married in May 1992 and have three adult children. The couple also have grandchildren.

Sabers confirmed that Noem had filed for divorce but said she would limit further comments while the legal process continues. Bryon Noem’s attorney, Tim Bottum, said his client was saddened by the end of the marriage and remained focused on protecting the family.

“Bryon’s priority is to protect the family and move forward as loving parents and grandparents,” Bottum said in a statement.

The divorce proceedings follow months of public attention surrounding the couple’s relationship. In April, photographs of Bryon Noem circulated publicly, prompting a statement from Kristi Noem in which she said her family had been blindsided by the publication.

The photographs became part of a wider period of intense media interest in the Noem family. The timing also coincided with continuing scrutiny of Kristi Noem’s political career and questions about her relationships with people who worked closely with her.

Earlier in the year, Noem had faced questions from members of Congress about her relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a former senior adviser associated with the Trump administration. During a congressional hearing in March, a Democratic member of Congress asked Noem under oath whether she had engaged in a sexual relationship with Lewandowski.

Noem rejected the allegation as “tabloid garbage”. She did not provide a direct yes-or-no response to the question. The allegations had circulated publicly before the hearing, but Noem denied that she had been involved in an affair.

Lewandowski has also been a prominent political figure, having served as Trump’s campaign manager during the 2016 presidential campaign and later worked with Noem’s department.

The questions about Noem’s personal life emerged at the same time as controversy surrounding her performance at the Department of Homeland Security. Her tenure involved implementing major elements of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, making her one of the most visible officials associated with the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.

Noem’s departure from the cabinet followed controversy over several issues, including a taxpayer-funded publicity campaign that featured her prominently. During congressional questioning, Noem said Trump had approved the spending, but the issue contributed to wider scrutiny of her leadership.

Her tenure was also marked by controversy surrounding the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation. Noem described the two protesters as domestic terrorists, a characterization that drew criticism as questions continued about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The controversy contributed to increasing political pressure surrounding Noem before Trump ultimately removed her from the Homeland Security post.

According to court records, however, the divorce case itself is based on irreconcilable differences rather than any specific allegation involving the couple’s marriage. The filing does not establish a particular cause for the breakdown of the relationship beyond that legal description.

The distinction is important because public speculation surrounding a prominent political figure’s private life does not necessarily establish the reasons for a marriage ending. The legal filing provides the formal basis for the divorce but does not offer a detailed account of the personal circumstances behind the decision.

For Bryon Noem, the proceedings represent the end of a marriage that began more than three decades ago. His attorney has indicated that his focus is on the family’s future rather than public confrontation.

The couple’s three children are adults, and both Kristi and Bryon Noem are grandparents. Their attorneys have emphasised the importance of protecting the family as the proceedings move forward.

The divorce comes after a particularly turbulent period in Kristi Noem’s public career. Before joining Trump’s cabinet, she served as South Dakota’s governor and had established herself as a prominent Republican figure.

Her appointment as Homeland Security secretary placed her at the centre of the administration’s immigration agenda. The department oversees agencies responsible for border security, immigration enforcement, emergency preparedness and other major areas of national security policy.

Her time in the role lasted just over a year. Following her removal, Trump appointed Markwayne Mullin, then a US senator from Oklahoma, as her replacement.

Noem subsequently received another government role as a special envoy associated with the administration’s Western Hemisphere security initiative, according to reports about her post-cabinet activities.

Her political trajectory has therefore continued even as attention has shifted toward her personal circumstances.

The divorce filing also illustrates the extent to which the private lives of high-profile political figures can become intertwined with public scrutiny. Noem’s marriage, professional relationships and interactions with political colleagues have all received significant attention during a period when she was one of the most recognisable members of Trump’s administration.

Nevertheless, the court proceedings will determine the legal status of the marriage rather than the political controversies that have surrounded Noem in recent months.

The filing was made in Hamlin County, South Dakota, the state where Noem previously served as governor and where the couple have longstanding personal ties. The legal process is expected to address the practical matters associated with ending the marriage.

Neither side has publicly provided an extensive account of the reasons behind the divorce. Noem’s attorney has indicated that further comments will be reserved for the legal proceedings, while Bryon Noem’s attorney has said he would respond if the case requires court action.

For now, the filing formally begins the process of ending a marriage that lasted more than three decades.

Noem, 54, and Bryon Noem, 56, began their marriage in 1992, long before Kristi Noem entered the national political spotlight. Over the following decades, she moved from South Dakota politics to the US House of Representatives, then to the governor’s office and ultimately to Trump’s cabinet.

Their separation therefore comes at a moment when Noem’s public career has undergone substantial change. Her time as Homeland Security secretary ended earlier this year, while her personal life has simultaneously become the subject of renewed public attention.

The divorce proceedings are likely to remain closely watched because of Noem’s political profile and her former position in the Trump administration. However, the legal filing itself provides only a limited explanation, identifying irreconcilable differences as the formal reason for seeking the dissolution of the marriage.

As the case progresses, further details may emerge through court proceedings or statements from the parties. For now, both sides have indicated that the family’s wellbeing remains an important consideration as they move through the process.