Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was met with jeers and protests while dining at a Mexican restaurant in Washington DC on Tuesday evening. Activists from the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America gathered outside the eatery near the White House to voice their opposition to the Trump administration's controversial policy of separating migrant children from their parents at the US-Mexico border.
Nielsen's security detail prevented demonstrators from approaching her table, but the protestors made their presence felt. The incident comes amid growing international pressure on the Trump administration to abandon the practice, which has resulted in babies and toddlers being sent to so-called 'tender age' shelters, according to the Associated Press.
In a tweet following the protest, Nielsen stated: 'I will work tirelessly until our broken immigration system is fixed, our borders are secure and families can stay together.' President Donald Trump defended his homeland security secretary, saying she 'did a fabulous job' defending the policy at a news conference this week.
Meanwhile, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski faced backlash after making light of a report about a 10-year-old girl with Down's syndrome who was allegedly separated from her mother. On Fox News, Lewandowski sarcastically said 'womp, womp', prompting Democratic aide Zac Petkanas to shout: 'How dare you!'
The unconfirmed report of tender age shelters for infants moved MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow to near tears on Tuesday night. As she read the breaking news, she paused, covered her mouth, and said she could not continue. The Trump administration's 'zero tolerance' policy, launched last month, appears to be deterring some migrants, with Salvadoran postman Cen Epigmenio telling Reuters he and his wife have postponed their plans to cross the border due to fear.
