President Trump says Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is stepping down. Trump tweeted that current Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will serve as acting DHS secretary. Nielsen served since December 2017 and enforced the administration's policy of child separation at the border. Trump thanked Nielsen for her service and look forward to McAleenan stepping into her shoes. He said he's confident that McAleenan will do a great job.
In her resignation letter, Nielsen said she's confident that the nation is safer now than when she joined the administration. Since being confirmed in December 2017, Nielsen noted the administration has "implemented historic efforts to defend our borders, combat illegal immigration, obstruct the inflow of drugs, and uphold our laws and values." She also touted strides in cybersecurity and disrupting terrorist plots against the country.
During her tenure, Nielsen oversaw the controversial practice of separating children from parents at the border. President Trump announced that Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will step into the role of acting Department of Homeland Security secretary.
Photo: Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen walks alongside President Donald Trump as he tours the border wall between the United States and Mexico in Calexico, California. (Getty Images)