DHS spokeswoman out after 6 weeks

The Department of Homeland Security's top spokeswoman on Wednesday announced her departure from the role after roughly 6 weeks in the post.

"I joined [DHS] with a genuine passion for supporting [Donald Trump] in his decisive and effective policies to secure our homeland, be a voice for the precious Angel Families, and an advocate for the men and women of [ICE]," Katie Zacharia posted on X.

"I look forward to continuing that work in other capacities. God bless America, God Bless President Trump, and I am grateful to be alive during the presidencies of [Donald Trump]," she added.

Zacharia had replaced Tricia McLaughlin, who left the post after a year. Though she did not give a reason for her departure, the Daily Beast reported that Zacharia's ties to Corey Lewandowski, the alleged lover of ex-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, were the catalyst.

Speaking to Just the News in a phone interview, Zacharia denied the Daily Beast report and stated that she first met Lewandowski, Noem, and McLaughlin in a February 2026 meeting to discuss a public-facing media role in the administration.

The Daily Mail, citing a source, reported that much of Zacharia's initial work, however, involved "menial tasks such as fielding email inquiries." 

Zacharia said that her decision to leave the role was largely motivated by the strain that regular travel to-and-from California placed on her family. She further added that, prior to her departure, she had the opportunity to congratulate DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on his confirmation and that she maintains strong support for his work and that of Border Czar Tom Homan.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comments from Katie Zacharia.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.