A court filing in Hamlin County, South Dakota, revealed that former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has initiated divorce proceedings against her husband, Bryon Noem, after 34 years of marriage. The petition cites irreconcilable differences and was signed by Noem’s attorney, Michael Sabers, on April 6. The filing follows the recent release of photographs depicting Bryon Noem wearing exaggerated prosthetic breasts in a spandex garment, an image first published by the Daily Mail. At the time, Noem described the photos as “devastating” and said her family had been “blindsided” by their circulation. The divorce documents were only submitted to the court this week, according to reporting by the New York Times.

Noem’s legal representative confirmed the filing and indicated that further commentary would be reserved for the legal process. Bryon Noem’s attorney, Tim Bottum, stated his client was “saddened that the marriage is ending” and expressed willingness to share his perspective if court proceedings required it. Bottum added that Bryon’s priority is protecting the family and moving forward as loving parents and grandparents.

The divorce filing comes weeks after Noem’s dismissal from the Department of Homeland Security. Her tenure ended amid heightened scrutiny of her conduct, including testimony before a congressional committee in March. During that hearing, a Democratic representative questioned her about an alleged romantic relationship with Corey Lewandowski, then-aide to former President Donald Trump. Noem responded by dismissing the inquiry as “tabloid garbage,” though she did not deny the allegations. She had been accompanied at the hearing by her husband.

Noem’s removal from federal office followed reportedly contentious exchanges regarding a taxpayer-funded publicity campaign that promoted her public image. She had previously informed the committee that Trump had approved the spending. Her departure preceded the appointment of Markwayne Mullin as the new Homeland Security Secretary.

Noem’s time in office was marked by controversy, including criticism for referring to two protest-related deaths in Minneapolis as those of “domestic terrorists.” The victims, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, died during an immigration enforcement operation. Noem, 54, and Bryon Noem, 56, married in 1992 and share three adult children.

The case remains pending, with no scheduled court dates or public hearings announced as of this reporting. Legal experts note that settlements in such cases often involve private negotiations and that the ultimate resolution may not become public without further procedural steps.