Shake Up at Homeland Security as Border Crisis Mounts

Just days after traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border to deal with a surge in migrants crossing from Latin America, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is stepping down. President Trump announced Nielsen’s abrupt resignation in a tweet Sunday evening. “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!” Trump tweeted. Nielsen’s departure follows Trump’s growing anger about the border crisis; at one point last week he threatened to close the border to all traffic, alarming both Democrats and Republicans with what many believe would be an economically devastating move. He later backed off on that threat, saying he would give Mexico a year to stem the tide of drugs and migrants flowing into the United States.