Donald Trump appoints Kirstjen Nielsen as Homeland Security Secretary

Ms. Kirstjen Nielsen is currently the White House principal Deputy Chief of Staff.

"Ms. Nielsen has extensive professional experience in the areas of homeland security policy and strategy, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and emergency management," the White House said in a statement. "She is the first nominee for this position to have previously worked within the Department of Homeland Security."

The White House said Nielsen previously served as a senior legislative policy director at the Transportation Security Administration. She was also on the White House Homeland Security Council during President George W. Bush's tenure.

If confirmed by the Senate, Nielsen would take the reins at a sprawling department with more than 240,000 employees that is responsible for U.S. border and airport security, immigration policy, disaster response, refugee admissions and other matters./.