President Trump announced on Friday that Chad F. Wolf will serve as the next acting secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to the Washington Times.
The DHS acting secretary is a central figure in the Trump administration and its efforts to implement the president's immigration policies. DHS oversees both the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agencies.
Wolf previously worked for the Transporation Security Administration (TSA), back when the agency was originally created in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. For more than a decade, Wolf worked as a lobbyist before returning to the TSA in 2017. He then became Chief of Staff for DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in 2018, before serving as the Acting Undersecretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans.
Earlier this month, Trump announced the resignation of then-Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan, who had served as acting secretary since DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen left in April of this year.
....Congratulations Kevin, on a job well done! I will be announcing the new Acting Secretary next week. Many wonderful candidates!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2019
Trump planned to announce a new acting secretary earlier this month, but it was reported that Trump's first choice, Ken Cuccinelli, was ineligible for the top position due to a federal law governing agency succession. White House Director of Presidential Personnel Sean Doocey is said to have then provided Trump with a list of other names eligible for the top position, which included Chad Wolf.
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