Former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, bringing their 34-year marriage toward an end. The divorce filing, submitted in South Dakota, cites “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the separation.
The development became public in late September 2026, drawing renewed attention to the personal life of the former South Dakota governor and Trump administration official. The couple married in 1992 and have three children together. The news also follows months of public scrutiny surrounding their marriage and separate controversies involving the former secretary.
According to the Associated Press and other news reports, Kristi Noem’s attorney confirmed the filing, while Bryon’s legal representative said he was saddened by the end of the marriage and hoped for a private, amicable resolution.
Kristi Noem Divorce: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
| Person filing for divorce | Kristi Noem |
| Spouse | Bryon Noem |
| Marriage year | 1992 |
| Length of marriage | Approximately 34 years |
| Divorce grounds | Irreconcilable differences |
| Court location | Hamlin County, South Dakota |
| Children | Three |
| Divorce filing signed | April 6, 2026 |
| Filing became public | September 2026 |
The court documents were signed in April and became publicly available in late September. Reports indicate that the divorce complaint was filed in Hamlin County, South Dakota, where the couple has longstanding personal and family ties.
Why Did Kristi Noem File for Divorce?
The official reason listed in the divorce complaint is “irreconcilable differences.” This is a commonly used legal ground in divorce proceedings, referring to marital differences that the parties believe cannot be resolved sufficiently to continue their marriage.
However, the filing does not publicly establish every personal reason behind the couple’s decision to separate. It is important to distinguish the legal grounds stated in court documents from speculation about what led to the breakdown of their relationship.
The divorce announcement came after months of media attention surrounding the couple. Reports about Bryon Noem’s alleged online activities and questions about Kristi Noem’s relationship with political adviser Corey Lewandowski had placed their personal lives under increased scrutiny.
Neither set of allegations should automatically be treated as the established legal cause of the divorce. The publicly stated grounds remain irreconcilable differences.
Controversy Surrounding Bryon Noem
In March 2026, the Daily Mail published photographs that reportedly showed Bryon Noem wearing women’s clothing and artificial breasts. The publication also reported alleged online communications and payments involving adult entertainers.
The reports attracted widespread attention because Kristi Noem was then serving as Homeland Security secretary in President Donald Trump’s administration.
A representative for Kristi Noem said at the time that she was devastated by the revelations and that the family had been blindsided. The family also requested privacy.
These details originated in media reporting and should be understood as reported allegations rather than findings from the divorce court. The publicly available divorce filing identifies irreconcilable differences and does not, by itself, establish the significance of those reports in the couple’s decision to separate.
Allegations Involving Corey Lewandowski
Kristi Noem also faced questions about her relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a political adviser who worked with the Trump administration.
During a congressional hearing in March 2026, lawmakers questioned Noem about allegations that the two had an affair. Noem dismissed the allegations as “tabloid garbage.” Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied having a romantic relationship.
The questioning added to the political scrutiny surrounding Noem shortly before she left her position as Homeland Security secretary. Nevertheless, there is no basis to present the alleged relationship as a proven cause of the divorce. The couple’s filing lists irreconcilable differences as the legal reason for ending their marriage.
Who Is Bryon Noem?
Bryon Noem is a South Dakota businessman who has largely maintained a lower public profile than his wife. The couple met during their school years and married on May 23, 1992.
Following the death of Kristi Noem’s father in 1994, Bryon joined her family in helping manage its agricultural operations. He later worked in the insurance industry and established Noem Insurance.
Throughout Kristi Noem’s political career, Bryon appeared with her at public events and congressional hearings. Their marriage spanned her years in state politics, her tenure as South Dakota governor, and her subsequent appointment to the federal government.
The couple has three children: Kassidy, Kennedy and Booker. They also have grandchildren, according to published biographical reports.
Kristi Noem’s Political Career and Departure From DHS
Kristi Noem rose to national prominence through her political career in South Dakota. She served as the state’s governor from 2019 to 2025 before joining the second Trump administration as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in January 2025.
At DHS, she became a prominent figure in the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. Her tenure also attracted significant criticism over immigration operations, the department’s public messaging and its handling of incidents involving federal officers.
President Donald Trump removed Noem from the Homeland Security position in March 2026, and Senator Markwayne Mullin was selected to replace her. Noem subsequently received a diplomatic appointment as special envoy for the administration’s Shield of the Americas initiative.
Her divorce filing therefore comes during a period of substantial personal and professional change, following her departure from one of the administration’s most prominent Cabinet positions.
What Have Kristi and Bryon Noem Said About the Divorce?
Kristi Noem’s attorney, Michael Sabers, confirmed that she had filed for dissolution of the marriage. He indicated that she would reserve further comments for the legal process.
Bryon Noem’s attorney, Tim Bottum, said his client was saddened that the marriage was ending and hoped for a private and amicable resolution. He also emphasized Bryon’s priority of protecting the family and moving forward as loving parents and grandparents.
These statements suggest that both sides are directing attention toward the legal proceedings and family privacy rather than providing a detailed public account of the relationship’s breakdown.
As of the latest reports available for this article, the divorce filing has been confirmed, but the public information cited here does not establish that a final divorce decree has been issued. The filing should not be confused with a completed divorce.
What Happens Next in the Divorce Case?
The next steps will depend on the proceedings in South Dakota. Depending on whether the spouses reach agreements or disputes arise, the process may address property division, financial arrangements and other applicable family-law matters.
The available reports do not establish the final terms of any settlement, the division of assets or whether spousal support will be awarded. Those matters should not be assumed before they are confirmed through reliable reporting or court records.
Given the couple’s longstanding marriage and public profiles, further developments may attract continued media attention. However, the precise timeline and outcome of the case remain dependent on the legal process.
Conclusion
Kristi Noem’s decision to file for divorce from Bryon Noem marks a major change after more than three decades of marriage. The filing cites irreconcilable differences, and the couple’s attorneys have acknowledged the separation while emphasizing the importance of family privacy.
The news follows months of public controversy surrounding both spouses and comes after Noem’s departure from the Department of Homeland Security. Although the circumstances have prompted considerable speculation, the established facts are that a divorce filing has been made and that its final outcome remains a matter for the South Dakota courts.
