Tricia McLaughlin, the top spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will step down from her position next week. She reportedly planned her departure in December but delayed it following the shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security’s top spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, is stepping down, a Trump administration official told CNN. https://t.co/1M34OVjlt2 — CNN (@CNN) February 17, 2026 CBS News has more: Since joining the administration, McLaughlin has become one of the most visible and vocal defenders of Mr. Trump’s deportation efforts, appearing regularly on Fox News and other television networks and posting statements on X to criticize detractors of his nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration. McLaughlin’s imminent exit comes as the Trump administration faces escalating political backlash over its aggressive immigration enforcement operations. McLaughlin is the latest top DHS official to step down in recent weeks. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Director Madison Sheahan announced last month she would leave her position to run for Congress in Ohio. Top ICE Official Steps Down, Announces Congressional Bid Challenging Longtime House Democrat Axios provided additional info: Lauren Bis, a deputy of McLaughlin's who was an early hire in Trump's second term, will be promoted to Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs, Axios has learned. She replaces McLaughlin, who is expected to leave her high-profile post at the agency next week. Politico first reported the news. DHS is also hiring Katie Zacharia, a Fox News commentator and adviser to Richard Grenell, the current interim head of the Trump-Kennedy Center and a former U.S. Ambassador to Germany. She will join as deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Public Affairs, a person familiar with the matter told Axios.