Chad Wolf

Chad F. Wolf is an American government official serving as the acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security, and as Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, since 2019. On August 14, 2020, the GAO ruled that his succession as DHS Secretary was improper and that Wolf was ineligible to serve in the role;[2][3] the Trump administration disputes this and Wolf continues in the role.

This article is about the U.S. government official. For the rock musician, see Carolina Liar.

Chad Wolf
Acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security (disputed)
Assumed office
November 13, 2019
PresidentDonald Trump
DeputyKen Cuccinelli (senior official)
Preceded byKevin McAleenan (acting)
Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans
Assumed office
November 13, 2019
Acting: February 8, 2019 – November 13, 2019
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byJames D. Nealon (acting)
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Plans, Analysis, and Risk
In office
February 8, 2019 – November 13, 2019
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byBrodi Kotila (acting)
Succeeded byTBD
Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security
In office
July 31, 2017 – February 8, 2019
SecretaryKirstjen Nielsen
Preceded byKirstjen Nielsen
Succeeded byJohn Gountanis (acting)
Personal details
Born1976 (age 43–44)[1]
Plano, Texas[1]
Political partyRepublican
EducationCollin College
Southern Methodist University (BA)
Villanova University (GrCert)

A member of the Republican Party, Wolf previously served in several positions in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including as Chief of Staff of the Transportation Security Administration and Chief of Staff to DHS secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. He was an architect of the Trump administration family separation policy in 2018, and was prominently involved in the deployment of federal law enforcement forces in Portland and elsewhere beginning in July 2020.

From 2005 to 2016, Wolf was a lobbyist, helping clients secure contracts from the Transportation Security Administration, his previous employer.

Education and early career

Wolf was born in Jackson, Mississippi[4] and grew up in Plano, Texas.[5] He graduated from Plano East Senior High School and then attended Collin College on a tennis scholarship.[6] He then earned a B.S. in U.S. history from Southern Methodist University.[6][7][8]

Wolf worked as a staffer for Republican Senators Phil Gramm, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and then Chuck Hagel, for whom he worked for two-and-a-half years.[6][8]

From 2002 to 2005, he worked in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), becoming Assistant Administrator for Transportation Security Policy in 2005.[7][8] During this time he first worked with Kirstjen Nielsen.[9]

Lobbyist career

From October 2005 to 2016, he was Vice President and Senior Director at Wexler & Walker,[7][8] a now defunct lobbying firm.[10][11][5] He helped clients obtain contracts from the TSA, his previous employer.[12]

In 2013 he received a Master Certificate in government contract management from Villanova University.[7]

Return to government

In March 2017 Wolf became Chief of Staff of the Transportation Security Administration.[5][7] He served in that position for four months, and then became DHS Deputy Chief of Staff and the top aide to Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke.[9]

In 2018 he became Chief of Staff of DHS under Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.[7] While working for Nielsen, he was an early architect of the family separation policy.[10] He later testified to Congress that his function was to provide information to the Secretary and "not to determine whether it was the right or wrong policy,"[10] though he agreed with the decision to end the policy.[13] He also testified that he was not involved in the initial development of the policy by the Executive Office of the President and the Attorney General, though this statement was disputed based on internal documents.[14]

He then became Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Plans, Analysis & Risk,[7] a Senior Executive Service position not subject to Senate confirmation.[15] He concurrently served as Acting Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans.[7] He was nominated in February 2019 to serve permanently in the Under Secretary role,[16] and his confirmation hearing was held that June,[10] but the nomination was delayed by Senator Jacky Rosen to protest poor conditions for children at DHS facilities.[17]

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security (disputed)
Wolf is sworn in as Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans with his family in 2019
Wolf briefs the White House press corps on the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020

Appointment

Wolf's appointment as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security came after the departure of Kevin McAleenan was announced on November 1, 2019.[18] At the time, he was not considered the first choice for the job, and it has been reported that he was satisfied with his policy job at the time, but others favored by Trump such as Ken Cuccinelli and Mark Morgan were ineligible for the Acting Secretary position.[9]

The fact that he had previously lobbied for the National Association of Software and Services Companies, which was in favor of the H-1B visa program, led to criticism from groups favoring more restrictive immigration policies,[16][19] but the Trump administration defended his record[10] and privately asked Republican senators not to oppose his appointment.[20]

The administration waited for Wolf's confirmation as Under Secretary before appointing him Acting Secretary[21] to avoid appointing him as a principal officer from a non-Senate-confirmed position, which many scholars and former government officials have argued is unconstitutional.[18][22][23] DHS then had to move the Under Secretary position earlier in the line of succession, because the 210-day period in which an acting official may be named without a pending permanent nomination had expired, mandating that the Secretary's duties must be performed by the department's seniormost confirmed official.[21][24]

Wolf was confirmed as Under Secretary on November 13, 2019, on a 54–41 vote,[25] and was sworn in as acting secretary of DHS the same day.[26]

Controversy

On November 15, 2019, House Democrats Bennie Thompson and Carolyn Maloney requested that the Comptroller General of the United States review the legality of Wolf's appointment on the basis that former Acting Secretary McAleenan did not have authority to change the department's line of succession, asserting that former Secretary Nielsen had not properly placed McAleenan first in the line of succession before resigning and that McAleenan's change came after the 210-day limit to his authority had expired.[13][27][28]

In July 2020, University of Michigan law professor Nina Mendelson, an expert on federal vacancies, asserted that an Acting Secretary can serve for only 210 days following vacancy by a Senate-confirmed officeholder. The last Senate-confirmed DHS Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, stepped down on April 10, 2019, 469 days earlier.[29]

On August 14, 2020, the Government Accountability Office released a finding that Wolf had become Acting Secretary improperly,[2] noting that:

Upon Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen's resignation on April 10, 2019, the official who assumed the title of Acting Secretary had not been designated in the order of succession to serve upon the Secretary's resignation. Because the incorrect official assumed the title of Acting Secretary at that time, subsequent amendments to the order of succession made by that official were invalid and officials who assumed their positions under such amendments, including Chad Wolf and Kenneth Cuccinelli, were named by reference to an invalid order of succession.[30]

Under the valid line of succession, the Acting Secretary would be Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Pete Gaynor.[31]

Tenure

Wolf maintained a low public profile during the early part of his term, prior to his prominent involvement in the deployment of federal law enforcement forces in Portland and elsewhere beginning in July 2020.[9]

In February 2020, Wolf announced that the Trump administration was revoking New York residents' ability to participate in Global Entry and other Trusted Traveler programs, in response to the state's "sanctuary" immigration policies, which jeopardized the government's ability to effectively vet travelers.[32][33][34] The move prompted the State of New York to sue the administration.[33] In July 2020, lawyers for the Trump administration informed the court that DHS officials had made false statements to justify excluding New York residents from the Trusted Traveler programs and that DHS would end the policy, admitting the inaccuracies "undermine a central argument" in their case.[35]

In July 2020, Wolf sent federal agents dressed in camouflage and tactical gear to Portland, Oregon, where they used tear gas on protesters.[1][36] Agents also used unmarked vehicles to detain protesters without identifying themselves as law enforcement. Legal observers called this "abduction" and "kidnapping".[37] Oregon Governor Kate Brown called the actions an "abuse of power" and accused Wolf of "provoking confrontation for political purposes".[36] Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called it "an attack on our democracy".[36] Wolf alleged the protesters were a "violent mob" and "violent anarchists".[36][38][39] The New York Times reported that an internal DHS memo had been presented to Wolf before the deployment that said the federal agents in question had not been specifically trained in riot control or mass demonstrations.[40] Wolf was criticized for taking unauthorized photographs inside the courthouse, contrary to local and national court policy.[41]

Tom Ridge, the first head of DHS, sharply criticized the deployment, saying, "The department was established to protect America from the ever-present threat of global terrorism. It was not established to be the president's personal militia."[42] Ridge, the former governor of Pennsylvania, added that it would be a "cold day in hell" before he would have consented as a governor to such a deployment.[42]

In a July 21 press conference, Wolf defended the deployment of officers in unmarked military-style uniforms, saying they had identifying numbers on their shoulders.[43] But former Trump administration DHS spokesman David Lapan disputed that the officers are easy to identify, saying, "People like me, who served a long time, have to look very long and hard to figure out who these people are. For the average citizen, it looks like the military is being used to suppress American citizens. Even if that's not the case, and this is law enforcement, it creates the impression that the military is being used."[42] In a Fox News interview on the same day, Wolf claimed it was necessary for the federal government to "proactively arrest individuals."[44]

The Washington Post reported in July 2020 that Trump had told his aides that he liked Wolf more than his predecessors because his predecessors pushed back on Trump's expansive view of federal power.[45] Wolf was also reported to have a good relationship with White House advisor Stephen Miller.[9]

Personal life

Wolf is married and has two sons.[46][47]

References
  1. Hackman, Michelle; Restuccia, Andrew (July 30, 2020). "DHS Involvement in Portland Clashes Fuels Debate Over Role of Agency and Its Chief". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  2. Cheney, Kyle (August 14, 2020). "GAO finds Chad Wolf, Ken Cuccinelli are ineligible to serve in their top DHS roles". Politico. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  3. "Department of Homeland Security—Legality of Service of Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Service of Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security". U.S. Government Accountability Office (B-331650). August 14, 2020.
  4. Honea, Sue (November 16, 2019). "Chad Wolf Sworn-In as Secretary of Homeland Security". Magee News. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  5. "Chief of Staff". Transportation Security Administration. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2019.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  6. "Life of service founded in lessons learned at Collin College" (PDF). Collin College Connection. 2015. pp. 3, 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  7. "Chad Wolf". U.S. Department of Homeland Security. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  8. "Chad Wolf Biography". Defense Daily. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  9. Miroff, Nick; Dawsey, Josh (August 3, 2020). "Chad Wolf emerges as Trump's favorite Department of Homeland Security chief". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  10. Ainsley, Julia; Tur, Katy; Strickler, Laura (October 22, 2019). "Trump admin considering Chad Wolf, an author of family separation policy, for DHS chief". NBC News. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  11. Meyer, Theodoric (November 30, 2018). "Wexler | Walker will close its doors". Politico. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  12. "Trump admin weighing drafter of family separation policy for DHS head". NBC News. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  13. Cramer, Harrison; Cohen, Zach C. (November 11, 2019). "Inside Trump's Gambit To Install Another Acting DHS Secretary". National Journal. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  14. Ainsley, Julia (November 7, 2019). "Watchdog: Trump pick made false claims about role in family separation". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  15. "United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions (Plum Book)". United States Government Publishing Office. 2016. p. 75. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  16. Restuccia, Michelle; Hackman, Andrew (October 21, 2019). "White House Personnel Director Tells Trump Top DHS Secretary Picks Ineligible for Job". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  17. Alvarez, Priscilla (June 27, 2019). "Democratic senator blocks DHS nominations, citing border conditions". CNN. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  18. Pettypiece, Shannon (November 1, 2019). "Chad Wolf could be a placeholder at Homeland Security". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  19. Kumar, Anita; Lippman, Daniel (January 21, 2019). "Trump aides nix his picks to take over DHS". Politico. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  20. Lippman, Daniel; Kullgren, Ian; Kumar, Anita (October 31, 2019). "White House plans to name Chad Wolf acting DHS secretary". Politico. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  21. Miroff, Nick (November 5, 2019). "Chad Wolf to take over at DHS, but Senate needs to confirm him for different job first". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  22. Katz, Eric (November 8, 2018). "Here's Why Some Are Questioning the Constitutionality of Trump's New Acting AG". Government Executive. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  23. Kight, Stef W.; Treene, Alayna (November 8, 2018). "Why Trump could face legal challenges over Whitaker". Axios. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  24. Giaritelli, Anna (November 1, 2019). "Chad Wolf, former chief of staff to Kirstjen Nielsen, tapped as acting DHS head". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  25. Levine, Marianne (November 13, 2019). "Republicans gripe about acting secretaries — and pave the way for another". Politico. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  26. Miroff, Nick (November 13, 2019). "Chad Wolf sworn in as acting Department of Homeland Security chief, fifth under Trump". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  27. Bublé, Courtney (November 15, 2019). "Top Democrats Call for Emergency Review of DHS Appointments". Government Executive. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  28. Misra, Tanvi (November 15, 2019). "Legality of Wolf, Cuccinelli appointments to DHS questioned". Roll Call. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  29. Blake, Aaron. "Analysis | Trump's Portland crackdown is controversial. The man spearheading it might be doing so illegally". Washington Post. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  30. "Department of Homeland Security—Legality of Service of Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Service of Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (File: B-331650)". U.S. Government Accountability Office. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  31. Rosenzweig, Paul (August 14, 2020). "So Who Actually IS In Charge of DHS?". Lawfare. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  32. Nick Miroff, Trump suspends Global Entry, traveler programs for New York residents over 'sanctuary' policies Archived March 2, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, The Washington Post (February 5, 2020).
  33. Abigail Hauslohner, The Trump administration punished New York for its sanctuary policy. New York is suing. Archived February 26, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, The Washington Post (February 7, 2020).
  34. Geneva Sands, Global Entry to stay banned for NY until state grants access to DMV database, says DHS secretary Archived February 26, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, CNN (February 7, 2020).
  35. Ed Shanahan and Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Homeland Security Dept. Admits Making False Statements in Fight With N.Y. Archived July 23, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times (July 23, 2020).
  36. Olmos, Sergio; Baker, Mike; Kanno-Youngs, Zolan (July 17, 2020). "Federal Agents Unleash Militarized Crackdown on Portland". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  37. Wilson, Conrad; Levinson, Jonathan. "Federal Law Enforcement Use Unmarked Vehicles To Grab Protesters Off Portland Streets". www.opb.org. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  38. "Homeland Security head visits Portland, calls demonstrators 'violent mob' and defends federal officers". oregonlive. July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  39. Mangan, Dan (July 17, 2020). "Oregon outrage: Elected officials blast federal authorities for grabbing protesters off the streets in Portland". CNBC. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  40. Olmos, Sergio; Baker, Mike; Kanno-Youngs, Zolan (July 18, 2020). "Federal Officers Deployed in Portland Didn't Have Proper Training, D.H.S. Memo Said". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  41. Crombie, Noelle (July 20, 2020). "Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf tweeted unauthorized photographs of federal courthouse in Oregon". OregonLive. Portland, OR. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  42. Hagerman, Maggie (July 22, 2020). "Trump's Actions in Portland Mesh With His Political Message". New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  43. Barone, Vincent (July 22, 2020). "Acting DHS, CBP heads defend federal officers in Portland: 'We will not retreat'". New York Post. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  44. Cabrera, Cristina (July 22, 2020). "DHS Chief Says His Federal Agents Are 'Proactively' Arresting People In Portland". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  45. Lang, Marissa J.; Dawsey, Josh; Barrett, Devlin; Miroff, Nick (July 24, 2020). "Operation Diligent Valor: Trump showcased federal power in Portland, making a culture war campaign pitch". The Washington Post.
  46. "Chad Wolf". Wexler & Walker. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  47. https://mageenews.com/chad-wolf-sworn-in-as-secretary-of-homeland-security/ Chad Wolf Sworn-In as Secretary of Homeland Security
Political offices
Preceded by
Kevin McAleenan
Acting		 United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Acting
2019–present		 Incumbent
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