DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is resigning in the wake of the current emergency at the border. This is almost certainly a resignation in name only, with rumors of her being forced out as far back as a year ago now coming to fruition.

….I am pleased to announce that Kevin McAleenan, the current U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, will become Acting Secretary for @DHSgov. I have confidence that Kevin will do a great job!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2019

While Nielsen likely did the best she could, it’s undeniable that the border has completely fallen apart under her tenure. Something had to change and putting the current CBP commissioner in charge is about as good a step as can be taken. His on the ground experiences should help practically and politically.

This appears to be part of a strategy of getting people in leadership who are going to take a harder line. Trump recently pulled the nomination of Ronald Vitiello to lead ICE because he wants to go in a tougher direction.

I should note that McAleenan is an Obama holdover, so while he’s very much a hardliner on enforcement, Democrats will have a hard time opposing him.