On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, will be leaving her position. He also welcomed U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan as the new acting secretary.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen will be leaving her position, and I would like to thank her for her service….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2019
….I am pleased to announce that Kevin McAleenan, the current U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, will become Acting Secretary for @DHSgov. I have confidence that Kevin will do a great job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2019
Nielsen held the position for 16 months. Sunday afternoon, she tweeted her resignation letter followed by a thank you to the men and women of DHS.
Its been an honor of a lifetime to serve with the brave men and women of @DHSgov. I could not be prouder of and more humbled by their service, dedication, and commitment to keep our country safe from all threats and hazards. pic.twitter.com/lIQ5iqGDmF
— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) April 7, 2019
On Sunday, Nielsen met with Trump and White House top officials according to Associated Press who cited two sources. Top administration sources informed Fox News that Nielsen’s “background in cybersecurity made her a poor fit to handle border issues, while McAleenan best fits Trump’s requirement of being the ‘toughest cop’ on the frontier.”
Officials confirmed that Nielsen will stay on DHS Secretary through Wednesday, April 10, to assist with any transitions.
Hector Garza, Border Patrol also agent confirmed that, “We don’t know if McAleenan will be the permanent secretary.”
Nielsen’s department comes just a few days after Trump withdrew Ron Vitiello for the position of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director. Rumors hint at the fact she was blindsided by the move. McAleenan, a holdover from the Obama administration, was sworn in on March 20, 2018, as commissioner of CBP. He has immediately begun transition work as acting secretary as of Monday morning.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a response on Monday via Twitter.
When even the most radical voices in the administration aren’t radical enough for President Trump, you know he’s completely lost touch with the American people. https://t.co/4hyz8VGwQv
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 7, 2019
On Friday, Nielsen was in Calexico, California, with Trump and other notable folks such as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). They toured a section of the border and conducted a roundtable discussion with local law enforcement agents.
Marissa Martinez is a political contributor for Accuracy in Media. She is the former political director to Massachusetts Governor’s re-election campaign, alumna of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and political consultant to national PACs. Follow her AIM border stories, @MarissaAlisa.
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