Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed to NBC News today that she is planning to leave her position. McLaughlin’s last day will be next Friday, Feb. 27. She has served as the department’s main spokesperson during Trump’ s second term so far, defending Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the administration from the backlash to its immigration enforcement efforts. The department’s handling of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent came under fire after videos from witnesses appeared to contradict the initial statements DHS and McLaughlin put out. McLaughlin first told news outlets in a statement that was also posted to X, “The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots.” Noem made similar comments, saying, claiming Pretti “attacked” officers and referred to the incident as “domestic terrorism.” A DHS spokesperson clarified days later that the initial statement was “based on reports from CBP from a very chaotic scene on the ground. That’s precisely why an investigation is underway and DHS will let the facts lead the investigation.” ...read more read less