Katie Zacharia, a conservative attorney and media commentator, is stepping into a prominent communications role at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), joining the agency as spokesperson and deputy assistant secretary for public affairs. Her appointment comes as current Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin prepares to leave the department next week.
Zacharia will serve under Lauren Bis, who is being elevated to assistant secretary following McLaughlin’s departure. McLaughlin, known for her forceful defense of the Trump administration’s immigration policies across television appearances and social media, described Zacharia as “a dynamic and effective voice in media” when confirming her own resignation on X.
In announcing her new position, Zacharia said she was “honored and proud” to serve President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She added that she intends to continue advancing the administration’s agenda, echoing the president’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Zacharia’s background blends legal training, political experience, and media work. She earned both her undergraduate degree and law degree from Pepperdine University. During her college years, she interned with the Republican National Committee and in the White House Office of Political Affairs during President George W. Bush’s second term.
While attending law school, she gained experience at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and worked as a law clerk for Advocates International, an organization that describes itself as a global network of Christian lawyers focused on serving vulnerable communities. After completing her legal education, Zacharia spent time working abroad, including at a firm in Beijing and with an organization dedicated to supporting children of migrant workers. She later returned to Pepperdine, serving on the law school’s Dean’s Council Board and working as director of development.
In recent years, Zacharia has built a public profile as a conservative commentator. She has appeared regularly on Newsmax since 2024 and on Fox News since 2025, offering legal and political analysis often aligned with the Trump administration’s positions. She has also worked as a legal adviser to Fix California, a conservative advocacy organization founded by Richard Grenell, a longtime Trump ally who currently serves as interim president of the Kennedy Center.
Her appointment comes at a time when DHS is under heightened scrutiny. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have faced criticism following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis last month. The incidents sparked protests and intensified debate over the administration’s immigration enforcement tactics.
Zacharia has publicly defended the administration’s immigration policies. In a recent New York Post opinion piece, she praised President Trump’s leadership and criticized what she described as liberal activists obstructing ICE operations. Her writings and media appearances suggest she will continue to take an assertive stance in support of the department’s enforcement efforts.
As she steps into her new role, Zacharia will become one of the most visible voices shaping how DHS communicates with the public during a politically sensitive period. With leadership changes underway and immigration policy remaining a flashpoint issue, her appointment signals continuity in the department’s messaging strategy while introducing a new face to its communications team.
