Updated Nov 1, 2019

Trump to name Chad Wolf as acting DHS chief

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

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The wreckage of summer

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

We usually think of Memorial Day as the start of the summer, with all of the fun and relaxation that goes with it — but this one is just going to remind us of all of the plans that have been ruined by the coronavirus.

Why it matters: If you thought it was stressful to be locked down during the spring, just wait until everyone realizes that all the traditional summer activities we've been looking forward to are largely off-limits this year.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow1 hour ago - Economy & Business

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 8 a.m. ET: 5,428,605 — Total deaths: 345,375 — Total recoveries — 2,179,408 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 8 a.m. ET: 1,643,499 — Total deaths: 97,722 — Total recoveries: 366,736 — Total tested: 14,163,915 — Map.
  3. World: White House announces travel restrictions on Brazil — Over 100 cases in Germany tied to single day of church services.
  4. Public health: Officials are urging Americans to wear masks over Memorial Day.
  5. Economy: White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett says it's possible the unemployment rate could still be in double digits by November's election.
  6. Federal government: Trump attacks a Columbia University study that suggests earlier lockdown could have saved 36,000 American lives.
  7. What should I do? Hydroxychloroquine questions answered — Traveling, asthma, dishes, disinfectants and being contagious — Masks, lending books and self-isolating — Exercise, laundry, what counts as soap — Pets, moving and personal health — Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — How to minimize your risk.
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it, the right mask to wear.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Updated 5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

U.S. coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Andrew Witherspoon/Axios. This graphic includes "probable deaths" that New York City began reporting on April 14.

The CDC is warning of potentially "aggressive rodent behavior" amid a rise in reports of rat activity in several areas, as the animals search further for food while Americans stay home more during the coronavirus pandemic.

By the numbers: More than 97,700 people have died from COVID-19 and over 1.6 million have tested positive in the U.S. Over 366,700 Americans have recovered and more than 14.1 million tests have been conducted.

Go deeper (2 min. read)ArrowUpdated 6 hours ago - Health