Trump announces change at Homeland Security: Nielsen out, CBP boss McAleenan in

Kirstjen Nielsen, shown in an undated photo, resigned as secretary of Homeland Security after meeting with President Trump at the White House on Sunday. (Associated Press)

Welcome to Fox News FirstNot signed up yet? Click here.
 
Developing now, Monday, April 8, 2019

NIELSEN OUT AT HOMELAND SECURITY: President Trump announced Sunday that Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen "will be leaving her position" after 16 months in the job. Nielsen tweeted Sunday evening that she had submitted her resignation. ... The president said that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will replace Nielsen as acting secretary, tweeting, "I have confidence that Kevin will do a great job!"

Nielsen met with Trump at the White House Sunday amid an ongoing influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border that has been taxing America's immigration system and sparking frustration within the administration. The Associated Press, citing two sources, reported that Nielsen had been frustrated with the difficulty of getting other departments to help deal with the growing number of families crossing the southwestern border.

-- Kevin McAleenan, new acting DHS boss, has long record in border security

-- Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan: Trump made the right move picking McAleenan for DHS

DEMS POUNCE AFTER CHANGE AT DHS: Democrats – particularly those eyeing the White House in 2020 -- were quick to respond Sunday after President Trump announced the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, and the appointment of Customs and Border Protection chief Kevin McAleenan as acting head of DHS. ... “About time,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., tweeted, adding that in her view, Nielsen’s “legacy of tearing innocent families apart will follow her for the rest of her life — and she should be ashamed of the role she played. She was completely unqualified to lead @DHS — and that's why I voted against confirming her.”

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., wrote that, “Kirstjen Nielsen misled the American people and defended Trump's inhumane policy of separating children from their parents. It was long past time for her to go.”

-- Ex-Dem staffer admits doxxing five GOP senators during Kavanaugh hearings

-- Romney blasts House Democrats' 'moronic' maneuvers to try getting Trump tax returns

KIDNAPPED AMERICAN TOURIST, DRIVER RELEASED: American tourist Kimberly Sue Endicott and her safari guide were freed days after a group of men kidnapped them at gunpoint in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park and demanded a ransom for their safe release, officials said Sunday ... Endicott and the driver, Jean-Paul Mirenge Remezo, were freed from their captors and were in "good health," Uganda Police Force said in a Twitter message. The kidnappers had used Endicott’s phone to demand a $500,000 ransom for the safe return of the pair, but it was unclear if the money was paid.

President Trump on Sunday also confirmed their release, tweeting: "Pleased to report that the American tourist and tour guide that were abducted in Uganda have been released. God bless them and their families!" (Click on the image above to watch the full video.)

Miranda Lambert performs during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Kravitz/ACMA2019/FilmMagic for ACM)

MIRANDA LAMBERT THROWS SHADE AT ACM AWARDS: Singer Miranda Lambert took the stage at the 2019 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday night and sang an updated version of her hit song “Little Red Wagon,” changing the words “I live in Oklahoma” to “I got the hell out of Oklahoma.” ... The words seemed directed at her ex-husband, singer Blake Shelton, who was also at the event and performed an emotional version of “God’s Country.”

Viewers quickly went to social media to share their reactions to Lambert’s diss. Many applauded the songstress, while others voiced their displeasure, calling the lyric change a low blow.

-- ACM Awards: Reba McEntire says female country stars being overlooked for honors as Dan + Shay, Keith Urban win big

-- Kacey Musgraves slammed on social media for not standing for Reba McEntire’s awards performance

ROSIE IS WRONG – “Suggesting that female athletes, because of their athletic gifts, grit, eye black, how tough they are, must be a little bit gay? That's just not true."Elizabeth Hasselbeck, former co-host of “Fox & Friends” and “The View,” during an appearance on “The Story with Martha MacCallum," responding to Rosie O’Donnell’s comments about her in a new book. (Click the image above to watch the full video.)

TODAY'S MUST-READS

Princess Diana should not have died from car crash injury, expert says

Professional golfer found dead in hotel room at 28

Human remains found at home of Dennis Day, original Mouseketeer missing for months

STAY TUNED

On Fox News:

Fox & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: Special guests include: Gianno Caldwell, Fox News contributor, on Democrats running for president; Mark Morgan, former FBI assistant director and Border Patrol chief under Obama, on Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s resignation; Dan Bongino, Fox News contributor and former Secret Service agent.

On Fox News Radio:

The Fox News Rundown podcast: "Life and Legacy of Barbara Bush" - Israelis head to the polls Tuesday to elect a leader of their country and some say decide on the future of a peace process in their region. We speak to David Rubin, former mayor of Shiloh, Israel, about the politics and possible outcomes of the election.

Barbara Bush was the wife of a president, was the mother of a president and a governor, and in a new book, we learn about her feelings on the Republican Party, fellow first ladies and President Trump. We discuss the new book, “The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty,” with author Susan Page, USA Today’s Washington bureau chief.

Plus: Commentary by Marie Harf, FOX News contributor and co-host of “Benson & Harf.”

Want the Fox News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, and Stitcher.

The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 a.m. ET: Guests include Michael Goodwin, New York Post columnist and Fox News contributor; Retired U.S. Navy Adm. James Stavridis, operating executive with the Carlyle Group; Dr. Drew Pinsky, radio host and author; Maj. Adam Armstrong and veteran Army Staff Sgt. Alex Jauregui.

#TheFlashback
2009: Somali pirates hijack the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama and taking Capt. Richard Phillips captive. Phillips is rescued four days later by Navy SEAL snipers who shot three of the pirates dead. 
1974: Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves smacks his 715th career home run in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, breaking Babe Ruth's record.​​​​​​​1952: President Harry S. Truman seizes the American steel industry to avert a nationwide strike. The Supreme Court later rules that Truman had overstepped his authority, opening the way for a seven-week strike by steelworkers.

Fox News First is compiled by Fox News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for joining us! Have a great day! We'll see you again in your inbox first thing Tuesday morning.

Load more..