- The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Rep. Xochitl Torres Small said Tuesday the absence of permanent leadership in the Department of Homeland Security is the cause of ineffective border policies being enacted.

“I grew up on the border and I know that our border policy is broken, but I don’t think that what the administration is doing is helping it. In fact, in many ways, it’s making it worse,” the New Mexico Democrat said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show.

“Part of what we’re seeing, for example, is the situation of leadership in the Department of Homeland Security. We have a real challenge in continuity. It’s very difficult to work together and build relationships without a stable relationship at the top,” she said.

President Trump has praised his administration for using a record amount of acting positions, telling CBS’ “Face The Nation” in February, “I like ’acting’ because I can move so quickly. … It gives me more flexibility.”

Mr. Trump recently replaced two leaders in the Department of Homeland Security. He announced outgoing DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen would be resigning, and the White House announced Mr. Trump had replaced Randolph D. “Tex” Alles as his Secret Service director.

• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.

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