Meet Kirstjen Nielsen, the Homeland Security chief at the center of the controversy over family separations at the US-Mexico border
Kirstjen Nielsen was born on May 14, 1972 in Colorado. But she grew up in Florida, where she ran cross-country, played soccer, and was student body president.
Nielsen's parents, Phyllis Michele Nielsen and James McHenry Nielsen, were both Army doctors. Her mother passed away in 2011, but her father is still alive and attended her swearing-in as Department of Homeland Security secretary.
Source: Heavy.com
Nielsen thought she might want to become a diplomat and attended Georgetown University's school of foreign service and studied abroad in Japan. She then worked for Sen. Connie Mack of Florida for two years before heading to law school at the University of Virginia.
Source: UVA Law
Nielsen worked for a Dallas law firm for a short period before joining George W. Bush's administration in his first term.
By 2005, she was 33, and was the senior director for prevention, preparedness, and response at the White House Homeland Security Council. There, she was right at the center of the Bush administration's bungled response to Hurricane Katrina.
Source: Washington Post
The team she oversaw was subsequently criticized for its "passive and clumsy" response.
Source: Washington Post
After leaving the Bush administration, Nielsen went to the private sector before joining the Trump's Department of Homeland Security as John Kelly's chief of staff in 2017. She gained a reputation as a "no-nonsense" aide to Kelly while he served as secretary.
Source: Newsweek
After Kelly became Trump's chief of staff, Nielsen joined him as his deputy. When Trump announced Nielsen would succeed Kelly as secretary of Homeland Security, it reportedly came as a shock to many staffers.
Source: Axios
Within the department and at the White House, she apparently wasn't very popular due to her "sharp-elbowed approach to doing business."
Source: Axios
Despite opposition from Democrats in the Senate, Nielsen was confirmed with a 62-37 vote and sworn in as Homeland Security chief in early December 2017.
Sources: Business Insider, DHS.gov
One of Nielsen's first big public moments came after Trump characterized Haiti and African nations as "shithole countries" in a meeting she attended. Trump also reportedly complimented Norway during the meeting. In January, Nielsen appeared before the Senate and was asked if Norway is a predominately white country. She replied that she "actually" didn't know.
Source: NY Mag
Nielsen has become a particularly controversial figure in relation to the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy regarding illegal border crossings.
Source: Business Insider
The Homeland Security chief on June 17 tweeted: "We do not have a policy of separating families at the border. Period." This tweet was promptly criticized as many felt she was denying the "zero tolerance" policy was leading to the unprecedented rate of family separations at the border.
Sources: Twitter, Business Insider
One day later, after denying the "zero tolerance" policy was separating families, Nielsen attempted to assure the public the migrant children who'd be taken from their families were being "very well taken care of." She added, "Don't believe the press."
Source: Business Insider
Nielsen also said her department would "not apologize doing for our job," adding, "This administration has a simple message: If you cross the border illegally, we will prosecute you."
Source: Business Insider
Nielsen has stood by Trump amid the strong backlash against the separation policy, often blaming Democrats for what's occurring and calling on Congress to enact legislation to address immigration. She denied the policy amounts to child abuse, as some have criticized.
Source: CNN
Protesters at a high-end Mexican restaurant in DC heckled her during the height of the conflict on June 19. "If kids don't eat in peace, you don't eat in peace," the protesters reportedly chanted.
Source: Business Insider
Democrats in Congress called for her resignation. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Nielsen's stance on the "zero tolerance" policy is "morally reprehensible."
Sources: Business Insider, Twitter
As Trump signed an executive order he claimed would end the separation of families at the border, the president told her "good job." But in private he's reportedly "unloaded" on her in relation to legal setbacks connected to border apprehensions.
Source: CBS News
Through it all, Nielsen has proven herself as a loyal subordinate. And as the debate over Trump's immigration policies wage on, her profile continues to grow.
Source: Business Insider
Popular Right Now
Popular Keywords
Advertisement