Don’t Call It A Comeback: How Kirstjen Nielsen Clawed Back From The Brink

on June 20, 2018 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 20: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen (L) listens as U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions after signing an executive order that will end the practice of separa... WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 20: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen (L) listens as U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions after signing an executive order that will end the practice of separating family members who are apprehended while illegally entering the United States on June 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. The order would detain parents and children together. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Just four short months ago, DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen seemed undoubtedly bound for the meat grinder of President Donald Trump’s disapproval, set to receive a career-ending tweet any day.

Now, per Politico, Nielsen has as much one-on-one time with Trump as any other Cabinet official, has been working close to the White House to be available at a moment’s notice, and has received the begrudging respect of a President myopically interested in one part of her department’s sprawling responsibilities.

Some attribute her ability to juggle Trump’s pet projects and her own interests within DHS — like cybersecurity — to former Chief of Staff John Kelly’s absence, per Politico. Without him, she’s been able to forge her own personal relationship with the President and calm him down about the border and illegal immigration.

One of her strategies to deal with the mercurial and temperamental Trump is reportedly to omit the word “no” from her vocabulary. Even when his demands are far-fetched and display a misunderstanding of the issue at hand, she presents an array of options instead of shutting him down altogether, Politico reported.

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  1. Avatar for sanni sanni says:

    “Cruella grows into her job.”

    One of her strategies to deal with the mercurial and temperamental Trump is reportedly to omit the word “no” from her vocabulary. Even when his demands are far-fetched and display a misunderstanding of the issue at hand, she presents an array of options instead of shutting him down altogether.

    Great description/image of a very pathetic figure - the ‘commander in chief’ who won’t listen to critical information unless it is sugar coated or manipulated into a form that won’t set off petulant rantings.

  2. So working on cybersercurity is her thing? And what/to who pray tell has she sold to date?

  3. Well, we know he has a toddler’s mindset. Pretty effective parenting strategy——divert and make him think he might get a treat instead of saying no.

    Just embarrassing that the rest of the world gets to watch.

  4. Avatar for jills jills says:

    How this woman can sleep at night is beyond me.

  5. Avatar for fgs fgs says:

    My first thought how she did it was completely inappropriate, and I blame The Rump himself. I certainly don’t remember myself snickering what (say) Condi Rice must’ve done to get in good with W.

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