Outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told reporters Monday afternoon she is still supportive of President Trump's border policies despite submitting her resignation over the weekend.
"I share the President’s goal of securing the border. I will continue to support all efforts to address the humanitarian and security crisis on the border," Nielsen said.
Outgoing Sec. Nielsen speaks after announcement of her resignation. pic.twitter.com/MsVRVTCBfA
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) April 8, 2019
Nielsen submitted her resignation to President Trump at the White House on Sunday afternoon. Trump announced her resignation on Twitter.
Its been an honor of a lifetime to serve with the brave men and women of @DHSgov. 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. pic.twitter.com/lIQ5iqGDmF
— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) April 7, 2019
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen will be leaving her position, and I would like to thank her for her service....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2019
....I am pleased to announce that Kevin McAleenan, the current U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, will become Acting Secretary for @DHSgov. I have confidence that Kevin will do a great job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2019
During an interview with Fox News Monday morning, Deputy White House Press Secretary Hogan Gidley slammed the media's focus on the palace intrigue surrounding Nielsen's departure.
“I do find it kind of interesting that the media is so focused on what happened behind the scenes with the resignation of Secretary Nielsen instead of worrying about what’s actually happening at the border. We have a crisis down there, an emergency and the media refuses to focus on that but instead wants to talk about palace intrigue,” Gidley said. "We’ve got to address what's going on at the border. We were down there. It was amazing to look into the faces of those affected by this crisis directly, hear their stories, their heartbreak of assaults and deaths not to mention the fact that drugs that are pouring across the border. President Trump predicted this, he said this would happen.”
