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Photo: Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
President Trump told reporters on Friday he planned to name Chad Wolf the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Where it stands, per the Washington Post: "it was unclear whether a formal appointment had occurred" as of Friday evening, "extending confusion about who would step in to fill one of the country's most crucial national security posts."
- A DHS spokesperson clarified to a pool reporter Friday that Wolf is currently the acting undersecretary for policy, while McAleenan continues to serve as acting secretary.
- White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said McAleenan will step down after Nov. 11, per the New York Times. He said that once McAleenan leaves, "Wolf will serve as acting capacity in the interim.” McAleenan's tenure officially ended Thursday.
- If appointed, Wolf would be the fifth person to hold the secretary job at DHS under President Trump.
Background: Wolf is a senior department official and was nominated by Trump in February to serve as undersecretary for the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans. He previously worked as chief of staff to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.
- Kevin McAleenan announced he was stepping down in October amid ongoing tensions with the White House.
Between the lines per a senior White House official: It's not expected that Wolf will be nominated for the permanent position.
Go deeper: McAleenan receives award from El Salvador ahead of DHS departure