Tom Bossert, Trump's homeland security adviser, resigns

Ben Jacobs in Washington
Updated

  • George W Bush veteran was original administration member

  • Second national security aide to leave since arrival of John Bolton

Tom Bossert, homeland security adviser to President Donald Trump until Tuesday.
Tom Bossert, homeland security adviser to President Donald Trump until Tuesday. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Donald Trump’s homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, resigned on Tuesday.

In a statement, the White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, said: “The president is grateful for Tom’s commitment to the safety and security of our great country.

“Tom led the White House’s efforts to protect the homeland from terrorist threats, strengthen our cyber defenses, and respond to an unprecedented series of natural disasters. President Trump thanks him for his patriotic service and wishes him well.”

Bossert’s resignation was first reported by Bloomberg News.

A veteran of the George W Bush administration, Bossert had served Trump since he took office in 2017.

Bossert’s portfolio included responses to natural disasters like hurricanes as well as cyber security. He became the subject of unwelcome attention in August 2017, when he responded to a British email prankster pretending to be Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser.

Bossert is the latest of a number of advisers and cabinet members to leave the Trump administration and follows National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton as the second staffer with national security responsibilities to leave since John Bolton’s installation as national security adviser.