Kirstjen Nielsen Resigns as Secretary of DHS
Richard Moorhead
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Kirstjen Nielsen resigned as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Sunday.
Nielsen’s resignation was confirmed after an afternoon meeting with at the White House. President Trump tweeted announcing her resignation and thanking her for her service.
The President went on to announce that Kevin McAleenan, currently the U.S Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner, would be replacing Nielsen as DHS Secretary on an interim basis.
Nielsen’s departure was celebrated by original Trump supporters and immigration hawks. The former George W. Bush administration official had become a subject of derision for conservatives and nationalists who wished to see Donald Trump execute on his revolutionary ‘America First’ vision of immigration policy.
Nielsen actively worked to undermine the President’s stated immigration policy, and import the highest possible total levels of illegal migrants and asylum seekers into the United States possible. How and why she was ever confirmed as DHS Secretary and remained in her office since the beginning of the Trump presidency remains unclear, but her departure is potentially a sign that the President’s immigration policy promises may finally be executed upon.
Now, President Trump will face a key personnel and staffing choice in finding and confirming Nielsen’s replacement. Potential candidates proposed by the Trump base include individuals such as Kris Kobach and Stephen Miller.
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