Tricia McLaughlin Biography | Who is Tricia McLaughlin?
Tricia McLaughlin is a prominent American government communications leader. She serves as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Her role places her at the center of national public messaging on border security and immigration policy.
Born and raised in Montgomery, Ohio, McLaughlin began her career in political communications. She worked with the Ohio Republican Party and served as Communications Director for Governor Mike DeWine’s campaign.
Later, she joined the Trump administration, serving in key national roles. She was Chief of Staff for Nuclear Arms Control at the State Department and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Treasury. These positions expanded her strategic and crisis communications experience.
In 2024, McLaughlin became Senior Advisor and Communications Director for Vivek Ramaswamy’s presidential campaign. Her leadership helped shape media strategy and public engagement.
She joined DHS in 2025, where she became one of the most visible voices defending federal immigration enforcement. McLaughlin appeared frequently on national news and social media to explain complex national security issues.
McLaughlin’s career has sparked both praise and controversy. Supporters note her strategic messaging and media discipline, while critics say her rhetoric sometimes inflamed public debate.
In 2026, McLaughlin announced her departure from DHS, planning to stay engaged in public affairs beyond government service. Her work influenced how Americans understand federal security and immigration communications.
Tricia McLaughlin Age | Date of Birth | How Old is Tricia McLaughlin?
Tricia McLaughlin is 32 years old as of 2026. She was born in 1994 and built an impressive career in political communications at a young age. She grew up in Ohio and later graduated from the University of Maryland. After college, she quickly advanced through state and federal government roles. Today, she serves as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Her age highlights her rapid rise in national security communications leadership.
Tricia McLaughlin Height | How Tall is Tricia McLaughlin?
Tricia McLaughlin stands 5 feet 7 inches tall (170 cm). She maintains a confident and professional presence during public briefings and national television appearances. Her height complements her poised communication style and leadership role. As Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), she often appears before cameras and large audiences. Additionally, her polished public image strengthens her authority in government communications.
Tricia McLaughlin Education
Tricia McLaughlin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the University of Maryland, College Park. She studied core subjects in politics and public affairs to prepare for a career in communications and strategy. Additionally, she attended and graduated from Sycamore High School in Ohio before college. Her university education built strong foundations in political analysis, media engagement, and public messaging. This academic background supports her leadership role in government communications at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Tricia McLaughlin Political Party | GOP Affiliation
Tricia McLaughlin is a member of the Republican Party (GOP). She built her political communications career within conservative political circles. For example, she worked for the Ohio Republican Party early in her career. Then she advanced to federal roles under Republican leadership. Moreover, she served as communications director on GOP campaigns, including the 2024 presidential campaign for Vivek Ramaswamy. Consequently, her Republican affiliation shapes her policy positions and public statements in government. McLaughlin’s Republican Party ties define her political identity and professional path.
Tricia McLaughlin Husband | Spouse Benjamin Yoho
Tricia McLaughlin married Benjamin Yoho in August 2025. He works as a CEO and political consultant with deep experience in Republican campaign strategy. They met while working together during the 2024 presidential campaign and became engaged in early 2025. Together, they support each other’s careers in government and political communications. While McLaughlin leads public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Yoho manages his firm and political consulting work. Their partnership blends professional collaboration with personal commitment.
Tricia McLaughlin Children | Does the DHS Leader Have Kids?
Tricia McLaughlin does not have children as of 2026. She focuses her time on her career in government communications at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and on her personal life. McLaughlin married her husband, Benjamin Yoho, in 2025, but the couple has not publicly announced any children. Consequently, she does not balance parenting duties with her DHS responsibilities. McLaughlin continues to prioritize professional achievements and future family plans.
Tricia McLaughlin Family | Parents | Siblings
Tricia McLaughlin grew up in a close-knit family in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her parents are John McLaughlin and Gale McLaughlin, who raised her with strong family values. Additionally, she has two siblings: a brother named Scott McLaughlin and a sister named Christine McLaughlin. Together, they share family traditions and support each other’s successes. Furthermore, her upbringing in Ohio helped shape her leadership and communication skills, which she uses in her role at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Tricia McLaughlin DHS | Role, Impact & Departure at the Department of Homeland Security
Tricia McLaughlin served as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) beginning in 2025 under the Trump administration. In that role, she became the primary spokesperson for DHS, shaping public messaging on immigration enforcement, border security, and national safety. She regularly communicated departmental policy decisions and responded to reporters’ questions at press briefings. McLaughlin defended DHS’s aggressive deportation and immigration policies, often using strong language to support enforcement actions. Moreover, she managed crisis communications during highly controversial incidents involving federal immigration agents. However, in February 2026, she announced her resignation from DHS after intense public and political scrutiny of agency actions and statements. Her departure marks a major shift in DHS administration communications leadership, with her deputy slated to succeed her.
Tricia McLaughlin in Trump Administration | Immigration & Border Security Spokesperson
Tricia McLaughlin became a key communications leader in the Trump administration’s second term. She served as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under President Donald Trump, where she promoted his aggressive immigration enforcement and border security agenda. McLaughlin frequently defended Trump’s policies in interviews and public statements, helping explain controversial actions to national audiences. Furthermore, Trump publicly praised her work, calling her knowledgeable and effective in media appearances. However, she announced her departure from the Trump administration in February 2026 amid rising political scrutiny. McLaughlin’s close alignment with Trump’s policy priorities made her a central figure in national security communications during his presidency.
Tricia McLaughlin Net Worth 2026
Tricia McLaughlin’s estimated net worth is around $1.2 million in 2026. She earned income from her roles in political communications and government service. Additionally, she received consulting fees before joining the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Furthermore, her husband’s executive earnings contribute to their joint financial stability. McLaughlin also earns from speaking engagements and media appearances.