The top spokesperson and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, announced her resignation from the Trump administration this week.
McLaughlin’s departure follows months of intense scrutiny of the administration’s aggressive immigration stance and comes amid a partial government shutdown over funding disagreements on immigration enforcement. A Trump administration official first confirmed McLaughlin’s resignation to POLITICO. Multiple officials familiar with the plans said McLaughlin will formally exit her role next week after informing colleagues of her decision.
“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,” DHS said in a statement to NPR.
In a statement to International Business Times, McLaughlin wrote, “I am enormously grateful to President Trump, Secretary Noem, and the American people for the honor and privilege to serve this great nation. I am immensely proud of the team we built and the historic accomplishments achieved by this Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Lauren Bis, an extraordinary talent, who has been with me since Day 1 of the Trump Administration will take over as the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. Katie Zacharia, a dynamic and effective voice in media, will serve as Spokeswoman and Deputy Assistant Secretary. I look forward to continuing the fight ahead.”
Since the start of President Donald Trump‘s second term in January 2025, McLaughlin emerged as one of the most visible defenders of the administration’s immigration policies. She frequently appeared on national television and media platforms to promote DHS initiatives, especially enforcement actions carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Her role became particularly prominent following a series of high-profile incidents in Minneapolis, where federal immigration agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens, prompting widespread public outcry and calls for policy reforms. MS NOW called McLaughlin “Possibly the most quoted person in the administration besides Trump.” She controversially framed one of the Minneapolis deaths as an act of “domestic terrorism” early in the investigation, language that intensified political backlash and fueled impeachment calls against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
In response to the news of McLaughlin’s resignation, Secretary Noem issued a statement on social media that said, “Tricia McLaughlin has served with exceptional dedication, tenacity, and professionalism as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. 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.”
Tricia McLaughlin has served with exceptional dedication, tenacity, and professionalism as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
She has played an instrumental role in advancing our mission to secure the homeland and keep Americans safe.…
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) February 17, 2026
The timing of McLaughlin’s resignation coincides with a partial shutdown of DHS operations due to a funding impasse in Congress. Democratic and Republican lawmakers remain at odds over allocating resources for ICE and CBP, including proposals to mandate body cameras for agents and restrictions on tactics critics say jeopardize civil liberties.
McLaughlin’s background in political communications includes roles outside federal service, including work with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and as a senior adviser on Vivek Ramaswamy‘s 2024 presidential campaign.
