US Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin to leave post

Spokeswoman for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Tricia McLaughlin - one of the most prominent figures in the White House crackdown on immigration - plans to leave her post this week.

McClaughlin has vigorously promoted and defended President Donald Trump's deportation push across social media and in press interviews and podcasts.

She had planned to leave in December, but chose to stay on after two US citizens were fatally shot during confrontations with immigration officers in Minnesota last month, sources told CBS, the BBC's US partner.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed McLaughlin's departure, saying she "has served with exceptional dedication, tenacity, and professionalism".

"She has played an instrumental role in advancing our mission to secure the homeland and keep Americans safe," said Noem.

"While we are sad to see her leave, we are grateful for her service and wish Tricia nothing but success."

At the DHS, McLaughlin has often been the face of two agencies that fall under the department - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection.

Republican commentators largely praised her after the announcement of her departure, posting on social media that she had been one of the fiercest fighters for and best defenders of the Trump administration's policies.

Democrats, meanwhile, criticised her tenure, with Democratic National Committee spokesperson Kendall Witmer saying in a statement that she had "defended even the most violent tactics" used in the immigration crackdown.

McLaughlin will leave the department at a tense moment.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers are currently in a standoff over the budget for DHS, as Democrats demand it make changes to how ICE operates, and the department's funding was shut off on Saturday. Lawmakers are not expected to agree a new funding measure until the end of the month, at the earliest.

Meanwhile, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests Americans are growing unhappy with Trump's handling of immigration. In a poll conducted from 13 February to 16 Febuary, 55% of respondents disapproved of Trump's immigration policies, compared to 44% a year ago.

McLaughlin's next move after leaving the post is unclear. According to CBS, she is to be replaced by Katie Zacharia, a commentator who has appeared on Fox News.

McLaughlin served in the first Trump administration at the Treasury Department. She later became a spokeswoman for Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign to become the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election.