Trump to Nominate Kelly's White House Deputy as DHS Secretary

The White House announced on Wednesday that President Donald Trump will nominate Kirstjen Nielsen to run the Department of Homeland Security, reports Politico .

Nielsen served as White House chief of staff John Kelly's top aide during his time as DHS secretary and moved with him to the West Wing as his principal deputy chief of staff when he was appointed in July, leaving the Cabinet post vacant.

Nielsen, 45, is a cybersecurity expert and an attorney with an extensive background in homeland security, including stints at the Transportation Security Administration and on the White House Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush.

"She would be the first person to run the department who has actually worked there," a person close to the administration said earlier on Wednesday. "She has a deep familiarity."