Gearing up for what it seems will be yet another awkward, protracted firing, President Trump has told advisers that he intends to get rid of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. This could happen anytime within the next few weeks or, sooner! Who can say!
According to the Washington Post, the trouble is that Nielsen isn’t applying herself to keeping out immigrants with quite the vim he’d like. Is this because she once said she’s “not a racist” who didn’t “want families to be separated?” Was that too conciliatory, even though she has actively defended white supremacy, and allowed families to be separated on her watch? 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.
Nielsen reportedly isn’t too excited about becoming yet another employee booted from the administration before she reaches the one-year mark (her anniversary would be December 6, sad), but then again, she’s been “unhappy in the job for several months.” Oh weird, why?
Trump has berated her during Cabinet meetings, belittled her to other White House staff and tagged her months ago as a “Bushie,” a reference to her previous service under President George W. Bush and meant to cast suspicion on her loyalty.
She also committed the error of trying to reason with the president, because some people just never learn:
When Nielsen has tried to explain the laws and regulations that prevent the government from drastically curtailing immigration or closing the border with Mexico, as Trump has suggested, the president has grown impatient and frustrated, aides said.
Bye Kirstjen! You’re awful, and your replacement is bound to be worse.