Homeland pick: More than a wall is needed
Building a wall won’t be enough to secure the U.S. border with Mexico, retired Marine general John Kelly, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Homeland Security, told senators during a confirmation hearing Tuesday.
“A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job,” Kelly said. “It has to be really a layered defense.”
He told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that would require patrols, sensors, and “observation devices,” and also working with other countries to stem illegal travel toward the U.S. border.
“We could have better partnerships,” Kelly said.
If confirmed, he would be responsible for spearheading the implementation of Trump’s pledges to build a wall, track foreigners who overstay their visas, and ramp up deportations of immigrants in the country illegally.
“I love my country, and I will do everything within my power to preserve our liberty, enforce our laws, and protect our citizens,” Kelly said.
He said he has “never had a problem speaking truth to power, and I firmly believe that those in power deserve full candor and my honest assessment and recommendations.”
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and said she would count on him to speak truth to Trump.