Kirstjen Nielsen quits: Donald Trump 'forces out homeland security chief over migrants'

Quitting as Homeland Security Secretary: Kirstjen Nielsen
AFP/Getty Images
David Gardner8 April 2019

Donald Trump stepped up his anti-immigration rhetoric today claiming that America was “full” and again threatening to shut the border with Mexico — hours after Kirstjen Nielsen quit as homeland security secretary.

Ms Nielsen was reportedly asked to step down during a meeting last night with the President, who was said to be unhappy that she had not been tough enough on illegal immigration.

After yet another high-profile Trump administration departure, the President went straight on the offensive. He tweeted his thanks to Ms Nielsen for her service and named customs and border protection chief Kevin McAleenan as her temporary replacement.

Mr Trump wrote: “More apprehensions (captures) at the Southern Border than in many years. Border Patrol amazing! Country is FULL! System has been broken for many years. Democrats in Congress must agree to fix loopholes — No Open Borders (Crimes & Drugs). Will Close Southern Border If necessary.

“Mexico must apprehend all illegals and not let them make the long march up to the United States, or we will have no other choice than to Close the Border and/or institute Tariffs. Our Country is FULL!”

Donald Trump and Kirstjen Nielsen in California
REUTERS

The messages were part of a fresh attempt by Mr Trump to pressure Mexico just days after saying that he would allow the country one year to stop illegal migration before shutting the border.

The President is said to have become increasingly frustrated because he believed Ms Nielsen should have been more aggressive in her efforts to stem the flow of undocumented migrants. One report claimed that he would call her at home early in the morning to demand tougher action.

“Frustrations were building on both sides,” a source told the Axios website. “She was undercut at every turn. She’s done everything she can do. The White House is eating their own.”

During her tenure, the homeland security secretary controversially defended the administration’s policy of separating children from their parents if they were caught trying to enter the US illegally.

On Friday, Ms Nielsen accompanied the President on a fact-finding trip to the border in California.

By yesterday, Mr Trump had decided he wanted her out. “I have determined that it is the right time for me to step aside,” Ms Nielsen said in her resignation letter. “I hope that the next secretary will have the support of Congress and the courts in fixing the laws which have impeded our ability to fully secure America’s borders and which have contributed to discord in our nation’s discourse.”

Economists have warned that closing the Mexico border would lead to chaos with food shortages and rocketing prices. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell also warned Mr Trump that it would have a “catastrophic economic impact on our country”.

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