The US Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, who enforced some of President Trump’s controversial border policies, has resigned.
Ms Nielsen called it “an honour of a lifetime” to work in the department.
President Trump tweeted she would be temporarily replaced by Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan.
Ms Nielsen was responsible for implementing the proposed border wall and the separation of migrant families.
She gave no reason for her departure in her resignation letter, although she said this was “the right time for me to step aside” and said the US “is safer today than when I joined the Administration”.
The announcement she is leaving her post comes days after the president visited the southern border.
Mr Trump has recently threatened to shut the crossing, but has since backtracked and promised to give Mexico a year to stop drugs and migrants crossing into the US.
Ms Nielsen first joined Mr Trump’s administration in January 2017 as an assistant to the former Homeland Security chief John Kelly.
She became Mr Kelly’s deputy when he moved to become White House chief of staff, but returned to lead her former department later that year.
Ms Nielsen defended border policies such as holding children in wire enclosures in the face of strong condemnation and intense questioning by Democrats in Congress.
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
