Fourth Senate Dem calls for Nielsen to resign over family separation policy

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to resign over the “zero tolerance” immigration policy that has resulted in family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border. 

“Secretary Nielsen has made it abundantly clear she lacks the integrity or judgement needed to lead the Department of Homeland Security. She has repeatedly lied to the American people and has been at the center of the Trump administration’s most chaotic and reckless actions,” Duckworth said in a statement. 

Tammy Duckworth calls on Kirstjen Nielsen to resign. pic.twitter.com/KI4Md68yFT

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 20, 2018

{mosads}Duckworth’s call for Nielsen’s resignation come as many Democratic and Republican lawmakers push legislation that would halt a Trump administration policy that has resulted in thousands of children being separated from their parents.

Nielsen has adamantly defended the policy, and argued that Americans should not believe the media’s coverage of the issue. 

“From censoring the Office of Inspector General report detailing her role in the unlawful implementation of Trump’s first Muslim travel ban, to enforcing a cruel and unnecessary Trump administration policy that traumatizes children by tearing them away from their parents and placing them in cages, Nielsen’s actions have compromised her credibility, character and accountability,” Duckworth said. “It is time for her to resign.”

Democratic Sens. Kamala Harris (Calif.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.) called for Nielsen to resign earlier this week.

President Trump has defended his DHS secretary, however.

“Homeland Security @SecNielsen did a fabulous job yesterday at the press conference explaining security at the border and for our country, while at the same time recommending changes to obsolete & nasty laws, which force family separation. We want “heart” and security in America!” he tweeted Tuesday night.