Trump homeland security secretary Nielsen quits
Latest staff departure comes as president moves toward tougher line on immigration and border
KIRSTJEN NIELSEN last night quit as Donald Trump’s homeland security secretary. Ms Nielsen’s departure was confirmed by the president on Twitter and came after she met Mr Trump at the White House. She became the latest in a series of high-profile departures from Mr Trump’s administration since he took office.
It is understood Mr Trump was unhappy with her performance at homeland security as he moved towards taking a tougher line on immigration.
Only last week, speaking in Las Vegas, the US president declared that “our country is full” as he placed immigration firmly on the agenda of his reelection campaign. According to reports in Washington, the final straw came when Ms Nielsen was left out of the loop on a White House decision to rescind the nomination of Ronald Vitello as head of Immigration and Customs, one of the most senior officials in her department.
Ms Nielsen’s tenure since succeeding John Kelly as homeland security secretary in December 2017 has been uncomfortable.
In May last year she reportedly offered her resignation after she was upbraided over immigration by Mr Trump in front of cabinet colleagues, but was dissuaded from doing so by Mike Pence, the vice-president.
Ms Nielsen then issued a statement in which she sought to play down the reported rift. “The president is rightly frustrated that existing loopholes and the lack of congressional action have prevented this administration from fully securing the border and protecting the American people,” she said. “I share his frustration.”
Describing border security as essential to the United States, she added: “I will continue to direct the department to do all we can to implement the president’s security-focused agenda”.
Within days she was appearing before Congress defending the controversial separation of immigrant families at the border.
Ms Nielsen had also aroused the ire of Stephen Miller, the president’s hardline immigration adviser. They felt that she had failed to protect the US border and held her responsible for the sharp increase in migrants trying to enter the country from Latin America. Ms Nielsen will be replaced by Kevin Mcaleenan, the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. n Joe Biden is fighting to keep his bid for the 2020 Democratic nomination on track as interest surges in Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of the rust belt city of South Bend, Indiana.
Allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women have dealt a serious blow to the 76-year-old former vice president who, even though he has still to declare his candidacy, is seen as Mr Trump’s likeliest opponent.