Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, not shown, visits with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at the ICE facility in Chicago to observe enforcement operations, Oct. 3, 2025. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)
Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) top spokesperson and assistant secretary for public affairs, announced her leave from the position in a social media post this week.
McLaughlin has been the chief spokesperson for the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, prominently defending and boosting the administration’s deportation policy and immigration strategy throughout social media and within the press.
McLaughlin confirmed her departure in a statement, adding that Lauren Bis, a deputy spokesperson within the public affairs division, will take over the position, with Katie Zacharia, a conservative commentator, joining the team as deputy assistant secretary.
In a statement provided to NPR, DHS additionally confirmed the news: "McLaughlin started planning to leave in December but pushed back her departure amid the aftermath of the shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers, according to the people briefed on her exit.”
"I am immensely proud of the team we built, and the historic accomplishments achieved by this Administration and the Department of Homeland Security," McLaughlin said in a statement. "I look forward to continuing the fight ahead."
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the announcement in a post on X, commemorating McLaughlin and expressing that she "has played an instrumental role in advancing our mission to secure the homeland and keep Americans safe." "While we are sad to see her leave, we are grateful for her service and wish Tricia nothing but success," Noem added.
McLaughlin’s departure comes as the Trump administration faces public backlash and increasing political criticism over its aggressive immigration crackdown. Tension has increased following the influx of federal agents across Minnesota, and the killings of Minneapolis activists Renee Good and Alex Pretti by immigration officers led to Democrats in Congress calling for an overhaul of the federal agency before funds are appropriated.
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