Senate Republicans are expressing little interest in the possible nomination of Kris Kobach as the next secretary of Homeland Security, The Hill noted.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas said he could not back Kobach, if Trump nominates the former Kansas secretary of state to replace Kirstjen Nielsen as head of the DHS.
“I wouldn’t be able to support him,” Cornyn said on Wednesday. “I think his rhetoric on immigration is very damaging to Republicans and would not help us solve what is a very complex problem, which is going to require some negotiation and compromise.”
Kobach helped draft Arizona’s 2010 immigration law, which required police to demand proof of legal residency from suspect immigrants, The Hill noted. He later served on Trump’s voter fraud panel.
Outside allies of Trump have launched a public campaign urging the president to nominate Kobach. NumberUSA, a group that seeks to reduce immigration rates, released a statement on Tuesday saying there is “no one more qualified” for the job.
And Kobach told the Washington Examiner he would accept the post if nominated by Trump.
"If he wants to have me serve in this capacity, and thinks it would be the best thing for the country, I would certainly do so,” he said.
But Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, one of Kobach’s home-state senators, doubted a nomination of Kobach would win Senate approval.
“Don’t go there,” Roberts told The Kansas City Star when asked about Kobach. “We can’t confirm him.”
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