On Sunday evening, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced her resignation, as she took time to thank the law enforcement agents who served with her while bashing Congress for dragging their feet on border security.
Nielsen served as DHS secretary during a stormy period for the department, especially as it related to her oversight of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) throughout President Trump’s quest to control illegal immigration and build a wall along the border with Mexico.
In her resignation letter to the President, Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen explained that she was grateful for the opportunity to serve along the law enforcement agents she oversaw.
“It has been my great honor to lead the men and women of the Department as its sixth Secretary. I could not be prouder of and more humbled by their service, dedication, and commitment to keep our country safe from all threats and hazards. I join all Americans in thanking them for their services and those of their families.” she wrote.
In her letter, Nielsen also took aim at Congress, pointing to their total inaction when it comes to America’s border security. As previously reported, ICE and CBP have been forced to release migrants into our country due to overcrowding of detention centers. She has repeatedly told Congress that the border with Mexico has reached a crisis point, yet there’s been little action taken by the legislative branch to address the issues.
Nielsen alsocalled on Congress to make more of an effort to work with the next secretary.
“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. Our country — and the men and women of DHS — deserve to have all the tools and resources they need to execute the mission entrusted to them.” she wrote.
Throughout her letter, Nielsen echoed her respect for the agents she worked with, writing, “Supporting these patriots has been the honor of a lifetime.”
She repeated her appreciation for her fellow colleges on Twitter, thanking them and their families for the sacrifices they made.
The President thanked Nielsen for her service and announced that Kevin McAleenan would be taking Nielsen’s office in the interim. McAleenan currently serves as the head of CBP.
While it isn’t yet clear if President Trump intends to make Kevin McAleenan’s role as DHS Secretary permanent, the nominee to replace Nielsen will also have to earn the approval of the Senate.