On Sunday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) head Kirstjen Nielsen became the 12th cabinet member to resign from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has been increasingly vocal over his displeasure with Nielsen and her handling of border security.
Rather than a feather in his cap, the border remains a black spot on his administration's record.
After a disastrous series of appearances before Congress where Nielsen's competency was questioned, the Trump appointee abruptly resigned Sunday.
This afternoon I submitted my resignation to @POTUS and thanked him for the opportunity to serve in his administration.— Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen (@Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen) 1554678162.0
Its been an honor of a lifetime to serve with the brave men and women of @DHSgov. I could not be prouder of and mo… https://t.co/EJPuxwnHrD— Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen (@Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen) 1554678163.0
But people are sending her less than fond farewells online.
Comedian Chelsea Handler took to Twitter with her message. She posted:
"Best of luck to Kirstjen Nielsen. I’m not sure where you’ll get hired with a resume that includes 'locking kids in cages.' I’m kidding, good luck at Fox News."
Best of luck to Kirstjen Nielsen. I’m not sure where you’ll get hired with a resume that includes “locking kids in… https://t.co/iWI2sOfWmJ— Chelsea Handler (@Chelsea Handler) 1554682297.0
Nielsen will forever be linked with the Stephen Miller created and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions implemented family separation policy. After reports of abuse and neglect of migrant children as well as more than one death under Nielsen's watch, she was called to testify before Congress.
Kirstjen Nielsen—who separated thousands of refugee children from their families—and made no plan to ever reunite t… https://t.co/HjiB8kt1aC— Scott Dworkin (@Scott Dworkin) 1554675130.0
But Nielsen seemed ill prepared, with few answers or knowledge to share in response to congressional inquiries. This lack of accountability for the deaths of children as well as the images of children in cages reflected poorly on Nielsen and her boss, President Trump.
Nielsen is a less than popular figure for both liberals and conservatives. One side saw her as heartless, the other not tough enough.
.@SecNielsen separated mamas from their babies and locked little children in cages. I’m not sorry to see her go. I… https://t.co/GCNDjPHmTm— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1554682488.0
Last year, I was the first U.S. Senator to call for Secretary Nielsen’s resignation over this Administration's crue… https://t.co/flGRLuI2te— Kamala Harris (@Kamala Harris) 1554749917.0
Secretary Nielsen took babies out of the hands of their mothers and put them into cages. Good riddance. But make n… https://t.co/HePZk1lJpS— Ben Ray Luján (@Ben Ray Luján) 1554677450.0
“Here’s this woman who was a reasonably admired bureaucrat, and for the rest of her life, people will look at her a… https://t.co/ufYxVszoKJ— Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@Jon Cooper 🇺🇸) 1554741985.0
Very few people had anything kind to say about Nielsen in the wake of her resignation.
Many replied directly to Nielsen's announcement on Twitter.
@SecNielsen @DHSgov Now scurry off under a rock somewhere reptile. What you allowed to happen, your Crimes Again Hu… https://t.co/b6NT0ghFS9— Dustin LaPres (@Dustin LaPres) 1554754664.0
@SecNielsen @DHSgov Proud? Children DIED on your watch. Some will never see their parents again. Others remain sepa… https://t.co/4ag7Y6eLkE— Andy Ostroy (@Andy Ostroy) 1554683124.0
@SecNielsen @DHSgov You tore children from their parents and then lost them in the foster care system. You broke t… https://t.co/PYJcLDnf7R— Pé Resists (@Pé Resists) 1554690763.0
@SecNielsen @DHSgov Service to country when selling your soul doesn't count ! #ChildrenInCages is your legacy— Sanja Sinobad (@Sanja Sinobad) 1554689986.0
@SecNielsen @DHSgov Proud to separate children from their parents? Bunch of sociopaths.— Vote Dem for the Planet (@Vote Dem for the Planet) 1554678896.0
@SecNielsen @DHSgov I hear The Hague is beautiful this time of year. You should visit...— Eliot Pizzazz (@Eliot Pizzazz) 1554678919.0
@SecNielsen @DHSgov https://t.co/rN2Z90Lz4n— Elizabeth Thorp (@Elizabeth Thorp) 1554688776.0
And some questioned how Nielsen could remain loyal to a President who never seemed to reciprocate.
@SecNielsen @DHSgov You did all you could to please him and he never hesitated to throw you under the bus. I have n… https://t.co/GS92M2kotG— Kizzy🖤💛 (@Kizzy🖤💛) 1554678712.0
@SecNielsen @DHSgov https://t.co/LMDNYbzut3— 👑 krownjules 👑 (@👑 krownjules 👑) 1554681453.0
On Monday afternoon, Nielsen made her first public statement:
"I don't have any new announcements. I just want to thank the President again for the tremendous opportunity to serve this country. I'm forever grateful and proud of the men and women of DHS who work so hard every day to execute their missions and support the homeland."
"As you know, DHS has a vast array of missions. I want to make sure that we execute them all with excellence through the transition. I share the President's goal of securing the border."
No word yet on Nielsen's future plans or her successor.