McAleenan, acting Homeland Security secretary, steps down
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kevin McAleenan, a career civil servant who became the unlikely point man for US President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, is stepping down as acting Homeland Security secretary after six months on the job. McAleenan told The Associated Press he was leaving on his own terms — a contrast to other top administration officials pushed out during Trump’s tenure.
But his departure ends an awkward period of leadership — one in which McAleenan delighted Trump by getting border crossing numbers to fall yet remained an outsider in an administration where top figures — including in his own department — were brash Trump supporters popular on conservative media.
A White House official with knowledge of the decision confirmed that it was McAleenan’s decision. The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Trump tweeted that McAleenan was leaving to spend more time with his family and go to the private sector.
No replacement was yet named at the department, which has seen its ranks decimated through firings and resignations. The acting DHS deputy secretary is the head of the Transportation Security Administration.
And it creates yet another top-level vacancy in Trump’s Cabinet — at the department responsible not only for immigration enforcement but also for helping states secure elections.
“We have worked well together with Border Crossings being Way down,” Trump tweeted of McAleenan.
McAleenan tweeted that he had worked — with the president’s support — to help stem the border crisis and that he would help ensure a smooth transition at DHS.
“I want to thank the President for the opportunity to serve the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security,” McAleenan wrote.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called McAleenan’s departure “the latest sign of this Administration’s failed leadership, which has worsened the humanitarian situation at the border, and injected pain and tragedy into countless lives.”
McAleenan took over in April after Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen quit. Trump said he’d name a replacement in the coming week, the fifth leader of DHS in two years.
The 240,000-person department is tasked with election security and cybersecurity, disaster response and even the Secret Service. But in Trump’s world, Homeland Security means one thing: immigration.
The president’s signature issue makes the department his focus and his ire. Balancing a White House eager to push major changes with the reality on the ground is a constant challenge.