Forces out DHS secretary after pressing for illegal border closures and mass refusals

Trump demanded that DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen shut down the southern border and push illegal blanket refusals of asylum, reportedly telling officials to disregard the law and promising pardons if they faced prosecution. Nielsen resisted the unlawful orders and resigned on April 7 after a tense Oval Office meeting; within days Trump installed Kevin McAleenan as acting secretary and continued a purge of DHS leadership. The episode illustrated Trump’s willingness to break immigration law and override processes to achieve mass deterrence.

"The system is full and we will take you no more." — Trump remarks days before Nielsen’s resignation while demanding tougher border shutdowns