Claire McCaskill wants DHS replacement ‘as quickly as possible’ – Washington Examiner

Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly's move to take over as White House chief of staff leaves a Cabinet vacancy that must be filled "as quickly as possible," according to a key Senate Democrat.

"With the threats facing this nation, I urge the president to nominate a qualified secretary to replace General Kelly as quickly as possible," Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, said Friday evening.

Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, was one of the few members of Trump's Cabinet to receive a speedy confirmation. Others dragged on for months, in part because Democrats used procedural powers to slow-walk the nominations. Thus the decision to replace former chief of staff Reince Priebus with Kelly could lead to difficulties for Senate Republicans, who are already pressed for time to pass key planks of their legislative agenda before the end of the year.

Deputy DHS Secretary Elaine Duke will serve as acting secretary while a replacement is found.

McCaskill isn't the only senator with an eye on the nomination. Kelly's successor will move through confirmation hearings overseen by Republican Sen. Ron Johnson who, like Priebus, hails from Wisconsin.

"Reince Priebus is a good friend," Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security panel, said Friday. "I thank him for his service and wish him the best of luck going forward. Secretary Kelly is an outstanding leader who has served his country honorably and I know he will do an excellent job at the White House. I look forward to working with the administration as they choose a new leader for the Department of Homeland Security."

Trump considered an array of contenders before tapping Kelly to lead DHS. The list of possibilities reportedly ranged from traditional Republicans such as Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, who leads the House Homeland Security Committee, to less conventional options such as Milwaukee County (Wis.) Sheriff David Clarke. Rudy Giuliani and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie were also regarded as contenders for multiple Cabinet posts, though they didn't end up receiving jobs in the administration.

Kelly, as head of DHS, was responsible for broad aspects of Trump's immigration and border security policy. Nevertheless, his reputation and experience working with lawmakers during his time as a top commander in the military allowed him to enjoy a "love fest" of a confirmation hearing.

That goodwill didn't stop Democrats from challenging some of his policy decisions once he took office, however. As Trump searches for a successor, he may have to balance between finding a nominee who can be confirmed quickly, but also be trusted to implement his agenda and appeal to Trump's core base of voters.

Senate aides declined to speculate about how the confirmation process might unfold. "We don't have a nominee," a Senate Republican aide told the Washington Examiner.

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Claire McCaskill wants DHS replacement 'as quickly as possible' - Washington Examiner