8 April

US President Donald Trump has announced Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen will be stepping down.

Trump thanked Nielsen for her service in a tweet on Sunday and added that US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will become acting head of the Department of Homeland Security.

Nielsen had been overseeing counter-terrorism, border security and measures against illegal immigrants.

Trump is said to have been frustrated with Nielsen's handling of illegal immigrants. This led to rumors that he might fire her.

There had also been speculation that Nielsen might step down ever since White House Chief of Staff John Kelly resigned. Kelly was Nielsen's predecessor and is close to her.

Sunday's announcement is the latest in a series of departures of major officials from the Trump Administration. They include Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was fired in November, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who resigned the following month.

NHK