Additional details have emerged about a mid-flight showdown between Homeland Security advisor Corey Lewandowski that led to a Coast Guard pilot's firing — and immediate reinstatement.
Noem realized that she had left behind her personal items, including the blanket, while flying on the backup jet, and Lewandowski berated the flight staff and threatened to fire them for failing to grab them from the broken down craft, according to NBC's sources.
"The Coast Guard pilot came out of the cockpit to see what was happening," NBC reported, "and Lewandowski insisted the plane return to where the broken-down jet was located to collect the secretary’s items, the U.S. official, the current Coast Guard official and the former Coast Guard official said."
"When the pilot refused, Lewandowski announced the pilot was relieved of duty, according to the U.S. official, the current Coast Guard official and the former Coast official," the report added. "The pilot explained that if he was fired he would need to land the plane immediately while another pilot was found to continue the mission to Washington, the U.S. official, the current Coast Guard official and the former Coast Guard official said."
