Overview
- Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, told colleagues she will leave next week after delaying a December departure following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised McLaughlin’s service, while deputies signaled changes with Lauren Bis expected to step into the top public affairs role and Katie Zacharia joining as a spokesperson.
- Border czar Tom Homan declared Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota over and said a small, temporary security force will remain to respond to threats, a presence he hopes to end quickly.
- The FBI is investigating the January fatal shootings of Good and Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis, after initial DHS descriptions of the victims were later contradicted by bystander video.
- A partial DHS funding lapse continues as Democrats demand guardrails like body cameras, visible IDs, and judicial warrants, while Homan’s touted arrest figures and claims of new local cooperation face pushback from Minnesota officials.