Chairman Thompson Statement on Appointment of Ken Cuccinelli as Acting DHS Deputy Secretary
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news President Trump has installed Ken Cuccinelli as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Homeland Security Secretary:
“It seems that President Trump just couldn’t fight the urge to play to his base by elevating Ken Cuccinelli to another senior leadership position at DHS that he is wholly unqualified for. Mr. Cuccinelli is nothing more than an anti-immigrant fringe figure and Trump sycophant. The fact that the President installed someone who is unable to be confirmed by the Senate for any position and cannot legally serve as Acting Secretary shows his reckless regard for democratic norms and the law. This is clearly a legally questionable appointment.”
“The bureaucratic gymnastics the Trump Administration used today to elevate Chad Wolf and Mr. Cuccinelli are further indication that Stephen Miller and Mr. Cuccinelli, with their inhumane and racist policies, will be running the show at DHS. A truly sad state of affairs for a Department created in the aftermath of the terror attacks of 9/11 with over 240,000 employees working around the clock to keep the country safe. I hope my colleagues in the Senate speak out and demand qualified nominees who can be confirmed to run the Department.”
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