Two members of the Trump administration have departed from their roles. Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin and Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill are stepping down from their positions.
Amid reports of McLaughlin’s departure, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed, “Tricia McLaughlin has served with exceptional dedication, tenacity, and professionalism as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.” She said the spokeswoman has “played an instrumental role in advancing our mission to secure the homeland and keep Americans safe.”
“While we are sad to see her leave, we are grateful for her service and wish Tricia nothing but success,” Noem wrote on social media.
According to reports, McLaughlin was expected to leave in December, but remained with DHS amid the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, no explanation was given for O’Neill’s departure from HHS. The CDC Director’s page on the agency’s website lists the position as vacant.
The shift comes as HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last week that Chris Klomp will become Chief Counselor of HHS and oversee the Department’s operations. Kyle Diamantas and Grace Graham were also named as Senior Counselors for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and John Brooks was named Senior Counselor for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
“In just over a year, we have driven historic progress on President Trump’s health care priorities and delivered real, measurable change,” Kennedy said in announcing the management team. “We are restoring accountability, challenging entrenched interests, and putting the health of the American people first. I am proud to elevate battle-tested, principled leaders onto my immediate team—individuals with the courage and experience to help us move faster and go further as we work to Make America Healthy Again.”
