Acting Homeland Security Chief Chad Wolf to Resign Amid Terror Fears

By D. Cruz First Posted: Jan 11, 2021 09:13 PM EST

(Photo : Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images) Department of Homeland Security acting Secretary looks on prior to his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee o on September 23, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said on Monday that he will resign from his position, a senior official said.

Wolf's decision to resign came in wake of the deadly Capitol siege on Wednesday and days before the president's term is set to close.

In a letter, Wolf said he was "saddened to take this step" since he had intentions to serve the DHS until the end of the President Donald Trump's term.

Several other people working in the Trump administration also decided to resign since Wednesday's chaotic event.

Wolf did not specifically cite the Capitol riots as explanation for leaving. But for Wolf, these events and concerns "divert attention and resources away from the important work of the Department" during a transition period.

Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Peter Gaynor will be taking over the position of acting secretary.

Wolf Worked on Trump's Extreme Immigration Rules

In Wolf's term as acting DHS chief, he was known as an enforcers of the president's extreme immigration crackdowns, said a report from NPR.

According to NBC News, Wolf faced several challenges during the year he spent in the DHS office.

He oversaw the construction of Trump's long-promised border wall. However, this has fallen short since it didn't meet the numbers promised by the president.

He was also criticized for how the DHS handled $6 million in intelligence assessments that was awarded to his wife's firm.

Ultimately, due to the strict department rules, the DHS came under legal scrutiny on whether he was acting in lawful power to uphold the strict immigration policies.

Wolf added in his letter that his actions were warranted by the "ongoing and meritless court rulings" that questioned the validity of his position in the DHS.

He has been serving in the acting capacity of the position since November 2019 and earlier vowed to stay in his position until January 20 to ensure a smooth transition of power.

No secretary of the department has been Senate-confirmed since Trump fired Kirstjen Nielsen in April 2019.

Wolf's Nomination Withdrawn After Capitol Riots Statement

Wolf received a nomination from President Trump to lead the department at its full capacity but the White House withdrew nomination last week after he condemned the Wednesday riots and called on Trump to do the same.

The White House claimed that the move was unrelated to the statement.

Wolf asking for such statements from the president was a "rare break," said a report from New York Post.

He noted in the statement that supporters of the president were responsible of the violence that happened during the event which was "tragic and sickening."

"This is unacceptable," he said. "These violent actions are unconscionable, and I implore the President and all elected officials to strongly condemn the violence that took place yesterday."

He was overseas when the DHS was part of the efforts to clear rioters from the U.S. Capitol.

Other Trump cabinet members who resigned in wake of the Capitol protests were Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.