Rep. Barbara Lee Barbara Jean LeeSteph, Ayesha Curry to be recognized by the Congressional Hunger Center Democrats unveil plan declaring racism a public health issue With Biden, advocates sense momentum for lifting abortion funding ban MORE (D-Calif.) slammed President Trump's decision to appoint Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as his new chief of staff on Friday, saying the appointment "militarizes the White House."

"By putting Gen John Kelly in charge, Pres Trump is militarizing the White House & putting our executive branch in the hands of an extremist," Lee tweeted.

By putting Gen John Kelly in charge, Pres Trump is militarizing the White House & putting our executive branch in the hands of an extremist. — Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) July 28, 2017

ADVERTISEMENT

Lee did not offer any additional context as to her opinion on Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general who previously headed up U.S. Southern Command.

Kelly, who served as Trump's Homeland Security chief in the early months of his administration, will start at the White House on Monday, replacing Reince Priebus as chief of staff.

Trump made the announcement via Twitter on Friday:

I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2017