Tricia McLaughlin’s husband demands apology from Dems over contract accusations
Trump fires DHS Sec Kristi Noem
Fox News’ John Roberts, Sandra Smith and Jacqui Heinrich provide details on President Donald Trump’s move to fire the Homeland Security Secretary. Kristi Noem and elect Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to replace her.
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A top executive at a public relations and political consulting firm who is married to a former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesman is demanding an apology from Senate Democrats over allegations that he used his wife to improperly secure lucrative contracts from the agency.
On Thursday, Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. In a letter to Rep. and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Benjamin Yoho took aim at the figure cited by Sen. Adam Schiff of Calif., claiming his company, Media Strategy Group, secured $143 million in subcontracts.
Yoho explained that the Media Strategy Group was hired to handle media work at DHS, but not to the level stated by Schiff.
“We provided limited production services and received $226,137.17 for video and audio production, representing approximately one-tenth of one percent of the contract value [Schiff] referenced,” Yoho wrote in his letter.
HAKEEM JEFFRIES SAYS HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT DEMS’ FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR DHS’ ‘KILLING MACHINE’ EVEN IF NOEM WAS FIRED
Senator Adam Schiff, California, during votes at the U.S. Capitol on October 23, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
He also noted that services do not go directly to DHS.
“The fact is that Media Strategy Group was hired by Safe America Media LLC to serve as a subcontractor on production work,” Yoho said, referring to a separate company that partnered with the agency. he said.
Yoho is married to Tricia McLaughlin, a former DHS assistant secretary for public affairs who left her job last month.
DHS DEFENDS MCLAUGHLIN AFTER ALLEGATIONS THAT HER HUSBAND’S COMPANY MADE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM ADVERTISING CONTRACTS: ‘BASED’
The duo’s connection to DHS came under scrutiny in the Senate after former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was investigated by lawmakers about a $220 million ad campaign she used to highlight the agency’s work. Democrats like Schiff have implied that some of that $220 million figure ends up in the pockets of those with close ties to the agency.
AS TRUMP LOST MARKWAYNE MULLIN FOR DHS, HOUSE GOP LEADER LAUNCHES SENATE BID
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin speaks during a press conference at ICE Headquarters in Washington, DC, May 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
“This statement is factually incorrect, and I respectfully request that you request that your colleague correct the official record and issue an apology,” Yoho wrote.
Noem was removed as head of DHS shortly after she learned that President Donald Trump had told senators that he had approved a prominent $220 million DHS ad campaign.
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After the hearings, reports emerged saying Trump was “furious” at Noem over her performance in the bicameral Judiciary Committee hearings earlier this month. advertising contract Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. and others interrogated him.
Trump reportedly objected to Kennedy suggesting that he approve of a taxpayer-funded ad that was subcontracted to a firm linked to Trump’s inner circle. National Review.
Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Senator Adam Schiff of California, California; Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; and Peter Welch, D-Vt., for comment.
