DHS Spokesperson Katie Zacharia Resigns Amid Lewandowski Loyalty Fears
Katie Zacharia, a conservative lawyer and media commentator hired just last month as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, has resigned from her position. The resignation, submitted on Monday, comes amid mounting fears that she would be fired due to her perceived close alliance with Corey Lewandowski, the former chief adviser to ousted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
A Swift Departure Following Recent Hiring
The 41-year-old mother of four was hired in mid-February to become the deputy assistant secretary and the on-camera face of the embattled department. This hiring occurred after Tricia McLaughlin announced her departure, and Zacharia had been working under Lauren Bis, McLaughlin's replacement as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. Her role was particularly critical following the deadly shootings of two anti-ICE protesters, which had plunged the department into a significant crisis.
However, her tenure was short-lived. Just a couple of weeks after her appointment, President Donald Trump fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and also dismissed Lewandowski, who was both her chief adviser and lover. Zacharia submitted her resignation on Sunday, with her last day being Tuesday.
Blacklist and Loyalty Concerns
The resignation follows reports of an unofficial blacklist circulating within the DHS, containing the names of more than two dozen loyalists to Kristi Noem. Sources indicate that some officials were pushing for these individuals to be fired. This list was reviewed by Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a hardliner who played a pivotal role in Noem's demise.
The Daily Mail obtained a copy of the list and confirmed that Katie Zacharia was included. "I think she knew she would be fired because she is seen as a Corey Lewandowski person," a DHS insider revealed. Another senior DHS official added, "She is a straight Corey person and a plant."
Zacharia's Defense and Career Background
When contacted by the Daily Mail, Zacharia emphatically refuted the notion that she was a ‘Corey person.’ She stated that President Trump had posted clips of her support for ICE on Truth Social months before she was hired, suggesting her appointment was based on merit and alignment with Trump's policies.
In her statement, Zacharia said, "I joined DHS with a genuine passion for supporting President Trump in his decisive and effective policies to secure our homeland, be a voice for the precious Angel Families, and be an advocate for the men and women of ICE. I will continue supporting President Trump’s agenda in whatever way is possible ahead of the midterms."
Zacharia's hiring marked the culmination of a diverse career, including work as an attorney for the World Bank in China and involvement in Republican political campaigns. Known for her unapologetic conservative views, she has spent years as a cable news staple, debating tough topics as a prime-time contributor for Newsmax and Fox News. Although her LinkedIn profile claims she is a commentator for Fox News, a network spokesperson disputed that title, stating she had only appeared as a guest.
Lewandowski's Continued Influence and Fallout
Corey Lewandowski had wielded unprecedented power within the DHS as a special government employee, largely due to his relationship with then-Secretary Kristi Noem. Following Noem's dismissal, she was appointed as Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas, a security initiative set up by Trump. Ten officials close to Noem were shifted to the State Department to assist her in this new role.
In a brazen display, Lewandowski joined Noem last week during one of her first overseas trips for the State Department, despite being fired from the DHS. Photos released by the Guyanese government showed him sitting stone-faced by her side at a formal meeting in Guyana. He was also seen with her in Costa Rica and Ecuador.
This move prompted outrage and guffaws among some of Noem's former colleagues at DHS, leading the State Department to clarify that Lewandowski would not be serving in any capacity with the department. "They just can't quit each other," one DHS official remarked.
The resignation of Katie Zacharia underscores the ongoing turmoil and political maneuvering within the Department of Homeland Security, highlighting the complex loyalties and power struggles that continue to shape the agency's leadership and public face.
