Nielsen Resigns as Head of DHS

Photo by Ron Sachs/CNP via ZUMA Wire

Photo by Ron Sachs/CNP via ZUMA Wire

 

We ran the numbers: There are 437 news articles covering this topic. 32% (139) are left leaning, 43% (186) center, 26% (112) right leaning.

Yesterday, Kirstjen Nielsen met with President Trump and publicly announced that she is resigning as Secretary of Homeland Security. Nielsen’s tenure saw the implementation of several controversial policies, including the separation of migrant families who were in the process of applying for asylum. This announcement comes on the heels of a spike in illegal border crossings on the southern border, which many reporters speculate spurred the resignation. Nielson posted her resignation letter on Twitter. She will be temporarily replaced by Kevin McAleenan, the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection until Trump decides upon a long term replacement.

Most stories covering the news ran with comparable headlines, which led with variations on the news peg: Nielsen resigns as DHS Secretary. However, right- and left-leaning outlets did cover the substance a bit differently.

Left-leaning outlets were more likely to discuss the context of Nielsen’s resignation and the perceived policy failings of her tenure and criticized Nielson for not standing up to Trump enough. Washington Post stated that Democrats had no sympathy for Nielsen in her departure and quoted Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) saying “When even the most radical voices in the administration aren’t radical enough for President Trump, you know he’s completely lost touch with the American people”.

Meanwhile, right-leaning outlets, like Breitbart were more likely to describe the criticism Nielsen has received from prominent pro-Trump conservatives and members of his administration for not being sufficiently "tough" on immigration.


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