Assistant Secretary of DHS Tricia McLaughlin has just resigned from her position today, according to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who announced it this afternoon.
Here’s what she wrote:
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.…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) February 17, 2026
McLaughlin responded by saying:
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!
I really like the job McLaughlin did at DHS and I sincerely hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of her.