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 spokesperson. McLaughlin is expected to announce her plans to colleagues on Tuesday before departing DHS next week, according to Politico. McLaughlin’s 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.
Following the shootings of Renee Good, a mother of three, and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, by immigration agents McLaughlin defended their killings by labelling them ‘domestic terrorists’ with ill-intent. McLaughlin’s departure comes as funding for the department has been cutoff 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.
Sources Say McLaughlin Planned on Leaving in December
McLaughlin planned on leaving Noem in December but delayed it due to the controversy from the death of Good and Pretti, according to sources with Politico. 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 over 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.
Questions Raised Over ProPublica Report
McLaughlin’s tenure in DHS was marred by accusations of corruption following a November report from ProPublica detailing how her husband benefitted from an agency contract. An advertising firm owned by Ben Yoho, McLaughlin’s husband, benefitted from a $220 million taxpayer-funded media campaign. The firm, which is also tied to Noem, was paid from the media campaign, raising concerns of potentials conflict-of-interests.
