White House Doubles Down, Accuses Pope Leo of Lying About ICE's Eucharist Ban

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin is claiming Pope Leo XIV got it wrong on migrants denied Communion — a claim that’s easily disproven by the facts on the ground.

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Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for public affairs, took to X (Twitter) to accuse Pope Leo XIV of mischaracterizing the situation at ICE’s migrant facility outside Chicago.

Responding to my story yesterday, she insisted that “religious organizations have ALWAYS been welcome to provide services to detainees in ICE detention facilities. Religious leaders may request access to facilities through proper channels and have those requests approved.”

She also directly refuted Leo’s claim that ICE separates families.

On behalf of the Trump administration, McLaughlin basically told the world that Leo XIV had his facts wrong.

That claim on behalf of the federal government is an egregious lie, and here’s why.