Feb 17, 2026 - Politics & Policy

DHS promoting McLaughlin's deputy as new spokesperson

Brittany Gibson

Portrait of Tricia McLaughlin, a woman with long blonde hair wearing a dark pinstripe blazer, standing in front of U.S. flags, including the American flag and a blue Department of Homeland Security flag. — Image: Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security is reshaping its public affairs team with the departure of spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin.

Why it matters: Promoting President Trump's immigration agenda has been a high-octane effort spearheaded by McLaughlin and the agency's public affairs team.

Driving the news: 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 a former adviser to Richard Grenell, who is now the 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.

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DHS promoting McLaughlin's deputy as new spokesperson

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