President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to dismiss Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen after becoming impatient and frustrated with her approach to immigration.
The Washington Post reports she could be out as soon as this week as five current former and current White House officials claim her departure is to happen within the next few weeks.
Trump is said to have this weekend told advisers of his plan to get rid of her as Nielsen’s one-year job anniversary of December 6 approaches.
President Donald Trump (right) is reportedly planning to dismiss Kirstjen Nielsen (left)
Nielsen (pictured in San Diego March during a tour of border wall prototypes) allegedly has not been enjoying the job within the last few months
The news came after he canceled their trip to visit troops at the border in South Texas.
Now it’s alleged the American leader wants someone with a more aggressive attitude to curtailing immigration but with no deputy secretary since April, Nielsen’s responsibilities could land in Claire M. Grady’s lap.
If not the undersecretary for management, Trump is reportedly considering Kevin McAleenan, the commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection and David P. Pekoske.
The president (center with Melania Trump right) reportedly wants someone tougher on immigration. Nielsen is pictured left with Governor Rick Scott Florida in October
Nielsen delivered an enthusiastic speech at the opening of his wall in Calexico, California recently. She also defended Trump’s decision to separate families at the border
But the Homeland Security secretary could be fired in next few weeks according to aides
Both have been confirmed by the Senate and Pekoske is the administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and used to be a vice commandant of the Coast Guard.
The Post also reports Kris Kobach, who lost out on the Kansas governor role, could be nominated however the secretary of state may be considered too extreme for Senate approval.
After the position was created in 2003 following the September 11 terrorist attacks and George W. Bush had two over six years during his terms.
Barack Obama had two across his eight years as president and Trump is already on his second as he nears two years as POTUS.
‘If I were advising the White House, I’d encourage them to nominate someone with executive branch experience,’ an anonymous senior DHS official said. ‘This will be our fourth secretary in two years. The last thing we want is someone who needs hand-holding.’
Chief of Staff John F. Kelly has been fighting to keep her (pictured October 2017) after pushing for her to get the role. However staff members are reportedly not keen on his praise for her
Nielsen is pictured as she takes the Oath of Office as the Sixth Secretary of Homeland Security in December 2017, joined by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (center) and Executive Clerk of the White House David Kalbaugh
A source claimed Nielsen – who used to work on disaster management response for the White House under Bush – is referred to as a ‘Bushie’ by Trump.
He reportedly claims she’s too loyal to the former president despite her defending Trump’s stance on separating families at the border. He then ended the operation days later.
Nielsen also delivered an enthusiastic speech at the opening of his wall in Calexico, California recently.
Still, Trump is said to have blamed her for a rebound in the number of people arrested at the Mexican border this year.
Insiders claim that Trump berating her in Cabinet meetings and belittling her to staff has made Nielsen want to quit the role but Madame Secretary is reluctant to before having done a year.
Claire Grady (right), Acting Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security, could be left with Nielsen’s responsibilities
US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan (left) could be in the running for the role as could David P. Pekoske (right), administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
Trump with Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (left) at the White House in July 2017. He could be considering Kobach as Nielsen’s replacement
The Post reports that while she feels that way Chief of Staff John F. Kelly has been fighting to keep her.
He supposedly wants to delay the removal of Nielsen, White House colleagues have become annoyed at his constant and possibly unjustified praising of her despite her lack of experience in the field.
Kelly pushed for her to be confirmed in the role and three aides added that his own job hangs in the balance.
A DHS spokesperson declined to comment on the speculation the The Post.