Kirstjen Nielsen | |
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6th United States Secretary of Homeland Security | |
In office December 6, 2017 – April 10, 2019 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Elaine Duke Claire Grady (Acting) |
Preceded by | John F. Kelly |
Succeeded by | Alejandro Mayorkas Kevin McAleenan (Acting; de facto) |
White House Deputy Chief of Staff | |
In office September 6, 2017 – December 6, 2017 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Katie Walsh |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security | |
In office January 20, 2017 – July 31, 2017 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Preceded by | Paul Rosen |
Succeeded by | Chad Wolf (Acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Kirstjen Michele Nielsen May 14, 1972 Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
Political party | Independent |
Education | Georgetown University (BS) University of Virginia (JD) |
Kirstjen Michele Nielsen (born May 14, 1972)[1] is an American government official and national security expert. Nielsen was the 6th United States Secretary of Homeland Security from December 6, 2017 to April 10, 2019. Before, she served as Principal Deputy White House Chief of Staff to President Donald Trump from September 6, 2017 to December 5, 2017. She has informally performed the role of Deputy Chief of Staff since John F. Kelly became White House Chief of Staff on July 31, 2017.
Nielsen is the founder and former President of Sunesis Consulting.[2]
On October 11, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Nielsen to be the new United States Secretary of Homeland Security.[3][4] On December 5, 2017, the Senate confirmed her nomination, by a 62-37 vote.[5] She resigned on April 7, 2019.