Katie Zacharia will be the new spokesperson for DHS following McLaughlin's departure
The official had planned to leave in December, but decided to delay her departure amid high-profile incidents.
Department of Homeland Security building
Tricia McLaughlin, deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will leave President Donald Trump's administration next week. The departure was publicly confirmed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who highlighted McLaughlin's role within the department. McLaughlin confirmed that Katie Zacharia will take over as spokesperson.
Noem said on X that McLaughlin served with "exceptional dedication, tenacity and professionalism" and was "instrumental" in advancing the mission of securing the country and protecting Americans. While expressing sadness at her departure, he noted that DHS is grateful for her service and wished her success in her next phase.
A departure postponed by the crisis
McLaughlin had planned to leave since December, but decided to delay her departure amid high-profile incidents involving DHS, according to a person briefed on the process. Those events included shootings in Minneapolis last month that killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
In Good's case, McLaughlin publicly called what happened "an act of domestic terrorism" and contended that an ICE agent fired "defensive shots" after a vehicle was allegedly used against law enforcement.
Strong advocate for immigration policy
During her time at DHS, McLaughlin became a leading advocate for the Trump Administration's immigration enforcement operations. She backed high-profile ICE actions in Minnesota and other states, and frequently cited data showing an increase in assaults against federal immigration agents.
McLaughlin also argued that those in ICE custody receive adequate medical care and a "higher standard of care" than most prisons in the United States.
Track record within the Republican Party
Before coming to DHS, she was director of political communications for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and a senior adviser to Vivek Ramaswamy's Republican presidential campaign in 2024, according to the department's own institutional information.
Katie Zacharia will take over the position
McLaughlin reported that, following his departure, his team will come under new leadership within the DHS. He explained that his current deputy, Lauren Bis, will take over as assistant secretary for public affairs, while Katie Zacharia, a lawyer and advocate for Trump's immigration policies, will take over as deputy assistant secretary.
In the same announcement, he highlighted Bis as a collaborator who has been with him since the beginning of the administration and described Zacharia as a spokesperson with a strong media presence.
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