Tricia McLaughlin, the “aggressive” Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman, has announced her resignation as the Trump administration seeks to soften its immigration enforcement image.
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Tricia McLaughlin is stepping down as the Department of Homeland Security’s chief immigration spokeswoman, as the Trump administration seeks to paint a “softer” image of immigration.
McLaughlin, who describes his approach as “aggressive,” told USA TODAY Network’s Cincinnati Enquirer that his last day in the office will be Feb. 27.
Neither McLaughlin nor the Trump administration have disclosed the reason for her resignation. McLaughlin told the Enquirer in December that she spends a lot of time doing this job and considers it both a privilege and a sacrifice.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump called for a “softer approach” to immigration enforcement, and late last year he praised McLaughlin in a social media post, calling him “amazing.”
Recent polls have shown that President Trump is trailing even among Republicans on immigration, following the deaths of two Americans at the hands of immigration officials. The administration has withdrawn most immigration agents from Minnesota, but other measures suggest mass deportations will continue.
McLaughlin said his departure had been in the works since December, but was delayed due to the shooting in Minneapolis.
“Obviously, this job is a meat grinder and, as I’ve told you before, it’s a sacrifice,” she said in February.
She and her husband, political consultant Ben Yoho, plan to someday return to their hometown of Cincinnati and start a family.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised McLaughlin’s work, saying she took on the role with “extraordinary dedication, tenacity and professionalism.”
McLaughlin’s approach won praise and criticism.
When ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7, McLaughlin was quick to label the shooting an act of “domestic terrorism” and said Good “used a weapon on his vehicle” to run over Ross, a claim that did not appear to be supported by video evidence.
In an interview with the Enquirer in December, McLaughlin acknowledged that the hostile tone he used as DHS spokesperson was intentional.
Are you often aggressive? McLaughlin asked. “Yes, but I think it’s also very effective.”
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou, who worked with McLaughlin when she served as Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman, said he has always been impressed with her work ethic.
“When I meet young people now, I can clearly see who has it and who doesn’t. Tricia had it, too,” he said. “It’s a combination of hard work, a desire to learn and understand the business, and meeting the right people.”
Lynn Tramonte, founder of the Ohio Immigration Alliance, said what’s concerning about the current message from DHS is a “lack of professionalism” and that McLaughlin is largely responsible for that.
“It’s breathtaking. The way they’re explaining what ICE is doing and how wrong it is,” she said. “That’s a strong word. Domestic terrorist. It should be limited to people who are trying to kill people on U.S. soil, and she’s in the Department of Homeland Security.”
McLaughlin said he believes it is his duty to protect police officers on the scene. She said assaults against law enforcement have increased by 1,000%, although the data says otherwise.
“I feel very strongly that no one stands up for the men and women who are putting themselves at risk,” she said. “It’s my duty and it’s my team’s duty to step up and do it.”
Husband’s company receives DHS contract
In November, ProPublica reported that McLaughlin’s husband’s company had received funding from the Department of Homeland Security’s $220 million advertising campaign.
The department kept Strategies Group’s involvement secret, prompting several Democratic lawmakers to demand an investigation into how the company, which has personal ties to DHS executives, received the money.
McLaughlin recused herself from the advertising campaign contract and said by law she cannot direct the subcontractors the department works with.
What’s next for McLaughlin?
McLaughlin said “I want you to pay close attention” to his next move. She said in December that she believes history will look kindly on the Department of Homeland Security’s actions.
“People aren’t necessarily going to like what I say or necessarily agree with what I say, but I put everything I could into this job,” she said. “Maybe not five years from now, or 10 years from now, but at least 15 years from now people will wake up and say, ‘This is exactly what we should have done and what we needed to do as a country.'”
Local political reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com or @eringlynn on Bluesky.
Reporter David Ferrara can be reached at dferrara@enquirer.com or @davidferrara23.
