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Article snippet: Sen. MORE (D-Mo.) emphasized the importance of filling the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) top spot Friday after its head John Kelly was named President Trump's new White House chief of staff. "With the threats facing this nation, I urge the president to nominate a qualified secretary to replace General Kelly as quickly as possible," McCaskill said on Friday, according to The Washington Examiner. McCaskill, who serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, weighed in after Trump announced on Friday that Kelly would replace Reince Priebus as chief of staff. However, despite McCaskill's calls, one congressman said a new DHS secretary may not be appointed "until fall at the earliest." "The President and Republicans insisted the DHS Secretary be confirmed on day one but now the President leaves this critical national security cabinet post vacant," Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said in a statement Friday. "The timing could not be worse: the Senate went into summer recess today and a new Secretary will not be confirmed until the fall at the earliest. With the approval of the Senate, the President must now replace Secretary Kelly with someone who is experienced, measured, and understands that homeland security is not a partisan issue," he continued. A DHS spokesperson said on Friday that Kelly's deputy at DHS, Elaine Duke, would become acting secretary starting on Monday. Duke has worked for the federal governme... Link to the full article to read more