Gen. John Kelly Nominated By President-Elect Trump To Lead The Agency

Retired Marine Corps General John Kelly has been officially nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security, according to reports.

The Washington Times reports that in a statement,Trump cited Gen. Kelly's "decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders." The President-elect called Kelly "the ideal choice to serve as our secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.”

Gen. Kelly is the former commander of United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), the Unified Combatant Command responsible for American military operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Kelly previously served as the commanding general of the Multi-National Force—West in Iraq from February 2008 to February 2009, and as the commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North in October 2009. Kelly succeeded General Douglas M. Fraser as commander of USSOUTHCOM on November 19, 2012.

According to the Washington Times, Kelly said he is "humbled and grateful" to be nominated. "The American people voted in this election to stop terrorism, take back sovereignty at our borders and put a stop to political correctness that for too long has dictated our approach to national security," Gen. Kelly said. "I will tackle those issues with a seriousness of purpose and a deep respect for our laws and Constitution.”

(U.S. Marine Corps image)

FMI: www.dhs.gov