The Washington Post is reporting Donald Trump has decided to remove Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen sooner rather than later. Nielsen has been on the job less than a year. From The Post:
Trump canceled a planned trip with Nielsen this week to visit U.S. troops at the border in South Texas and told aides over the weekend that he wants her out as soon as possible, these officials said. The president has grumbled for months about what he views as Nielsen’s lackluster performance on immigration enforcement and is believed to be looking for a replacement who will implement his policy ideas with more alacrity.
President Trump could ask Kirstjen Nielsen, his secretary of Homeland Security, to resign in the coming days, multiple officials familiar with the matter predict, describing the President's frustration at her handling of immigration and border security https://t.co/PWqog8HYuN pic.twitter.com/Jgo2lvu2xN
— CNN (@CNN) November 13, 2018
The number two position at Homeland Security has been vacant since April so the government’s third largest agency will have no leadership if Nielsen goes.
She would be the second cabinet member to be fired since the midterm election. Trump ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions last week.
.@SecNielsen sold her soul to serve Trump, wrecking her reputation and future to defend the indefensible, only to see him stab her in the back. He has no loyalty – Nielson shows your future, Trump aides. Jump ship or watch your back. Boss'll get ya. https://t.co/zMaN63WqMf
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) November 13, 2018
John Kelly, the White House chief of staff, is fighting to save Nielsen but he too is on shaky ground and may soon be out of a job.