WSJ: DHS Chief Pushed Back Against WH Attempts To Name Kobach His Deputy

In one of several recent clashes with President Donald Trump’s administration, Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly refused attempts by the White House to name Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach as Kelly’s deputy, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday night.

Per the Journal:

Mr. Kelly hasn’t been able to name the deputy he wants at the agency, people familiar with the matter said, and he fought off attempts by the White House to put Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state known as a hard-liner on immigration, into the position.

Kobach advised Trump’s transition team and is known for pushing anti-immigration policies. He was the architect of measures in Arizona and Alabama that let law enforcement officers stop anyone they believed might be an undocumented immigrant. As Kansas secretary of state, Kobach has pushed to require voters to show proof of citizenship and has tried to drum up concern about voter fraud. Kobach said this month that he advised Trump on his immigration policy and on voter fraud.

Kelly suggested choosing Christian Marrone, former chief of staff to President Obama’s DHS secretary, Jeh Johnson, as his deputy, according to the Wall Street Journal. Marrone had also worked in the George W. Bush administration and with Kelly at the Defense Department.

The White House announced on Monday that Trump will nominate Elaine Duke, who served at the DHS under President George W. Bush, to be Kelly’s deputy.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that Kelly was unhappy that the Trump White House did not quickly make him aware of the order barring certain travelers from the U.S. despite asking for details for several days.