Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf has stepped down from his post. By doing so, he becomes the third member of the Trump cabinet to step down following the riots of January 6.
“I am saddened to take this step, as it was my intention to serve the Department until the end of this Administration,” Wolf said.
“Unfortunately, this action is warranted by recent events, including the ongoing and meritless court rulings regarding the validity of my authority as Acting Secretary. These events and concerns increasingly serve to divert attention and resources away from the important work of the Department in this critical time of a transition of power.”
Here is the message I sent to the DHS team today. It has been the honor of a lifetime. pic.twitter.com/NFyIpN7GkZ
— Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) January 11, 2021
Prior to Wolf’s resignation, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao had stepped down. In Wolf’s absence, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Pete Gaynor will take over as the head of homeland security. Moving forward, members of Congress believe that Wolf’s second-in-command, Ken Cuccinelli, should resign as well.
“He has chosen to resign during a time of national crisis and when domestic terrorists may be planning additional attacks on our government. Unlike others, he is apparently not leaving the Trump Administration on principle,” House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson added.
President Donald Trump has not issued a comment about Wolf’s resignation.
