WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior of member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement in response to the confirmation of Kirstjen Nielsen to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Ms. Nielsen is eminently qualified to run this important agency. It is clear that she has the full confidence of the President and former DHS Secretary John Kelly, who is now the White House chief of staff. I am glad she can take charge of her agency and continue her work to keep Americans safe.”

Nielsen was nominated by President Donald Trump on October 11, 2017, to replace outgoing DHS Secretary John Kelly.

Nielsen previously served as chief of staff to Kelly and as senior legislative policy director for the department’s Transportation and Security Administration (TSA).

Nielsen was also part of the White House Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush’s administration.