U.S. Ministry of Security has no official head for more than a year, Trump wants to nominate acting minister

　　Chinanews, August 26. According to a report from the US Chinese website, on August 25 local time, US President Trump stated that he planned to formally nominate Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf as Minister. For more than a year, the agency has not had a head confirmed by the Senate.

Image source: Screenshot of the official account of US President Trump’s social networking site

　　According to reports, Trump said on social networking sites: "I am pleased to inform the American people that Acting Secretary Chad Wolf will be nominated as Secretary of Homeland Security. Chad has done an excellent job, and we are very grateful for his service!"

　　Just two weeks ago, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an oversight agency under the US Congress, discovered that Wolff’s appointment was illegal and was therefore not eligible for the position. The Department of Homeland Security refuted the findings, calling it "baseless and confusing," and accused the agency of partisan motives.

　　For most of Trump's tenure, the Department of Homeland Security has been lacking a head confirmed by the Senate. Among the leadership positions listed on the Department of Homeland Security website, 19 are either vacant or held by acting officials.

　　According to reports, the Department of Homeland Security was established after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. This department with more than 240,000 employees is responsible for US border and airport security, immigration policy, disaster response, and refugee access. The Ministry of National Security has received close attention from Democrats for its recent aggressive tactics against demonstrators in Portland, Oregon.

　　According to the report, Wolff has served as the Acting Minister of Homeland Security since November 2019. He succeeded former acting minister Kevin McAleenan (Kevin McAleenan), who held the post for about six months after the resignation of former minister Kirstjen Nielsen.

　　Wolfe served as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, responsible for the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Planning. At that time, he was appointed by the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security in the Senate with 54 votes in favor and 41 votes against. Before joining the Trump administration, Wolfe was a lobbyist, advocating for companies that hire foreign workers on H-1B visas.

　　According to reports, Trump must still formally submit Wolf's nomination to the Senate, and it is unclear when a confirmation hearing will be held.