Getty Images Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen speaks at a press briefing at the White House in June.
President Donald Trump has told advisers he has decided to remove Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, the Washington Post reports, and her departure from the administration is likely to occur in the coming weeks, if not sooner.
Trump, writes the Post, 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. The president canceled a planned trip with Nielsen this week to visit U.S. troops at the border in Texas and told aides over the weekend that he wants her out as soon as possible, the Post reported, citing officials.
Zinke confident as ethics probes swirl: The Associated Press writes that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke declared he’s “100% confident” no wrongdoing will be found in pending ethics investigations that have stirred speculation he could get ousted from Trump’s cabinet. Zinke faces a number of probes by federal investigators, including one involving dealings between a foundation Zinke created and the chairman of energy company Halliburton HAL, -2.34% . In an interview with the AP, Zinke said that he has spoken in recent days with Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly about the probes and that they remain supportive. He denied any wrongdoing.
Also see: Investigation into Interior Secretary Zinke referred to Justice Department
Cummings stumps for Pelosi: Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, an influential House Democrat, pleaded Monday with colleagues and incoming House freshmen to reject the efforts of a “small group” of Democrats he said is “trying to generate opposition” to Nancy Pelosi’s bid for the speakership, Politico reports. As Politico writes, a slew of Democratic victors in last week’s elections vowed to oppose Pelosi in a House floor vote, imperiling her bid for a second stint as speaker. But no alternative candidate has emerged yet, and Pelosi’s allies are beginning to mount a forceful campaign suggesting that Pelosi’s leadership and experience are necessary to guide the new Democratic majority.
Opinion: What a serious budget deal could look like
Lame duck begins: Lawmakers return to Washington on Tuesday for the lame-duck session of Congress, with a to-do list that includes avoiding a partial government shutdown and congressional leadership elections. Read more about the lame-duck agenda from MarketWatch.
DOJ expected to issue Whitaker opinion: CNN reports the Justice Department is expected to issue an opinion from the Office of Legal Counsel on Tuesday that will defend Matthew Whitaker’s appointment as acting attorney general under federal law. Almost immediately after Whitaker was appointed last week, various high-profile lawyers, professors and former DOJ officials weighed in on the legality of the move, and more formal legal challenges are widely expected.
CNN said OLC serves as the chief interpreter of federal law for the administration, but its conclusions are not binding on federal courts, and Tuesday’s opinion is unlikely to abate the brewing controversy over Whitaker’s appointment.
Also see: New acting attorney general Whitaker wanted limits on Mueller’s Trump probe
