Kristi Noem’s fiery ICE spokeswoman QUITS after branding slain Minneapolis protesters ‘domestic terrorists’
Kristi Noem’s most loyal supporter has quit her job at Homeland Security after labelling slain ICE protesters ‘domestic terrorists.’
Tricia McLaughlin, one of the most vocal defenders of Noem’s turbulent leadership of DHS, is stepping down as the department’s spokesman.
She is expected to announce her plans to colleagues on Tuesday before departing DHS next week, according to Politico.
The resignation comes as public opinion has completely soured on Donald Trump’s immigration crackdowns in major US cities.
The Daily Mail has reached out to McLaughlin for comment.
It came after the fatal shootings of Renee Good, a mother of three, and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, by immigration agents last month. McLaughlin had defended their killings, labelling them ‘domestic terrorists’ with ill intent.
Her departure comes as funding for the department has been cut off due to Democrats demanding reforms to immigration enforcement.
Homeland Security has not announced a replacement for McLaughlin, who frequently used her time at DHS to appear on Fox News.
One of Kristi Noem’s most loyal supporters is leaving the Department of Homeland Security as support for Trump’s immigration agenda sours
Tricia McLaughlin is set to depart from her role as DHS spokesman next week
Homeland Security has not announced a replacement for McLaughlin, who frequently used her time at DHS to appear on Fox News
McLaughlin planned to leave Noem in December but delayed it due to the controversy surrounding the deaths of Good and Pretti, according to Politico sources.
Questions about Noem’s leadership began to surface after a string of damaging headlines, including when McLaughlin quickly asserted that immigration agents were justified in fatally shooting protesters in Minneapolis.
The Department of Justice has now opened up an investigation into the two immigration agents responsible for shooting Pretti over whether they violated his civil rights.
As Noem began losing control over the public messaging in Minneapolis, Donald Trump sent in White House border czar Tom Homan to take charge of the crackdown.
Homan is the chief rival of Noem and her rumored lover, Corey Lewandowski. His takeover of Minneapolis suggested Trump had lost confidence in Noem’s leadership.
McLaughlin’s tenure at DHS was marred by accusations of corruption after a November ProPublica report detailed how her husband benefited from an agency contract.
McLaughlin’s husband, Ben Yoho, profited from a $220 million DHS media campaign
McLaughlin’s tenure in DHS was marred by accusations of corruption
An advertising firm owned by Ben Yoho, McLaughlin’s husband, benefited from a $220 million taxpayer-funded media campaign.
Strategy Group, which is also tied to Noem, was paid through the campaign, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
A DHS spokesman previously said: ‘DHS has no involvement with the selection of subcontractors.’
They added that Strategy Group does not have a direct contract with the agency and that ‘DHS cannot and does not determine, control, or weigh in on who contractors hire.’
