Trump expected to nominate Kirstjen Nielsen to head the Department of Homeland Security

Update 5:16 p.m. ET: The White House released a statement Wednesday confirming the president's intention to nominate Kirstjen Nielsen for secretary of homeland security. You can read the full press release here. Our original story appears below.

President Trump is expected to nominate Kirstjen Nielsen to head the Department of Homeland Security, Politico reports. The position was vacated by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly in July during a reshuffle that followed the ousting of former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. Nielsen previously served as Kelly's top aide when he was at DHS.

"She would be the first person to run the department who has actually worked there," one person close to the administration told Politico. "She has a deep familiarity."

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A cybersecurity expert, Nielsen rose to be a frontrunner for the position thanks to Kelly's recommendation. House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) was also reportedly being considered by Trump, but ultimately was passed over.

If confirmed, Nielsen would become the third woman in Trump's Cabinet.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.