John Kelly, a retired Marine General, has been asked to take over as the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, under the Trump administration. The former four-star General is expected to be nominated by President-Elect, Donald Trump to lead the agency, which is in charge of overseeing border security, according to the US media.
The 66-year-old led the Southern Command of the military, which is responsible for the Caribbean and Latin America, before retiring in January. If appointed, he would be the third former General to become part of the new Trump administration. Trump has promised to make the enforcement of immigration laws one of the major priorities of his Presidency. That responsibility falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.
The ex-General has crossed swords with the Obama administration in a public manner on several different issues. These include the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, and illegal immigration on the border between the US and Mexico – a sentiment he has in common with the next President. Trump has no personal military experience but has already named retired General, James Mattis as the Defense Secretary for his administration, as well as Lieutenant General, Michael Flynn as the new national security advisor.
Trump is also reported to be considering another retired General, David Petraeus, for the post of Secretary of State. For Kelly to become the new head of the DHS, his appointment would have to be confirmed by the Senate, which is now controlled by the Republican Party.