During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to clarify President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily barring travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly insisted repeatedly that he had sufficient advance notice of the order.
Kelly’s assurance that he was in the loop comes after reports indicated he was frustrated with the White House after receiving few details about the order in advance.
“We did know the E.O. was coming. We had people involved in the general drafting of it,” Kelly said, when first asked if he was aware of the order ahead of time, adding that the legal team at DHS specifically was involved.
When asked about his knowledge, Kelly repeatedly noted that he had been aware that Trump was going to sign an executive order along these lines since Trump was campaigning for president, but the DHS chief did not initially divulge how involved he was in the process.
Asked again how much guidance he was able to give during the order’s drafting, Kelly stressed that DHS’ role is to implement policy from the White House, but he described it as a “collaborative” process. Kelly said that he relied on members of his staff to review the order and approve it. He said that he knew the legal team was involved but was unsure specifically what members of DHS staff were involved in drafting the order.
When pressed for a specific timeline for his knowledge of the order, Kelly said that members of DHS staff were involved as the “finishing touches” were being put on the order following Trump’s inauguration.
Kelly said he saw two drafts of the order before it was signed. Asked if he personally had input on the order, he said it was primarily a “staff process.”
Kelly said he spoke to the White House about the order early last week, and added that he was made aware on Wednesday last week that the order would likely be signed that week. He was then given a heads up Thursday that Trump would sign the order Friday.
