History of Chad Wolf in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 30, 2024

Chad Fredrick Wolf is a former American government official who served as the acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security from November 2019. His appointment, later deemed unlawful in November 2020, sparked controversy. Prior to this role, he held the position of Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans from 2019 to 2021. Before entering government service, Wolf was involved in lobbying activities.

June 21, 1976: Birth of Chad Fredrick Wolf

Chad Fredrick Wolf was born on June 21, 1976.

1998: Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998

The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, which prevents most nominees from simultaneously acting in the same position, was enacted.

2002: Start of Work at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Chad Wolf began his work at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in 2002.

2002: Homeland Security Act of 2002

The Homeland Security Act of 2002, which is relevant to the appointment of an Acting Secretary, was enacted.

October 2005: Start of Work at Wexler & Walker

Chad Wolf joined Wexler & Walker, a lobbying firm, as vice president and senior director in October 2005.

2005: Start of Lobbying Career

Chad Wolf started working as a lobbyist in 2005.

2013: Completion of Master Certificate at Villanova University

In 2013, Chad Wolf earned a Master Certificate in Government Contract Management from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

2016: End of Lobbying Career

Chad Wolf ended his career as a lobbyist in 2016.

March 2017: Appointment as Chief of Staff at the Transportation Security Administration

Chad Wolf was appointed as the Chief of Staff at the Transportation Security Administration in March 2017.

July 2017: Appointment as Chief of Staff to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen

In July 2017, Chad Wolf assumed the role of Chief of Staff to the DHS Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen.

2017: Potential Conflict of Interest

In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security awarded contracts worth $6,050,000 to Berkeley Research Group, where Wolf's wife held an executive position. This raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest as Wolf sought Senate confirmation to lead the agency. Notably, Berkeley Research Group hadn't received any DHS contracts before Wolf joined the agency.

2018: Involvement in Trump Administration Family Separation Policy

Chad Wolf was involved in the development of the Trump administration's family separation policy in 2018.

February 2019: Nomination for Under Secretary of Homeland Security

In February 2019, Chad Wolf was nominated to serve permanently as Under Secretary of Homeland Security.

April 10, 2019: Resignation of Kirstjen Nielsen

Kirstjen Nielsen, the last Senate-confirmed DHS Secretary, resigned on April 10, 2019.

November 1, 2019: Departure of Kevin McAleenan as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security

Kevin McAleenan's departure as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security was announced on November 1, 2019.

November 13, 2019: Confirmation as Under Secretary and Swearing-in as Acting Secretary

Chad Wolf was confirmed as Under Secretary on November 13, 2019, and was sworn in as Acting Secretary the same day.

November 15, 2019: Request for Review of Wolf's Appointment

On November 15, 2019, House Democrats Bennie Thompson and Carolyn Maloney requested that the Comptroller General of the United States review the legality of Chad Wolf's appointment.

November 2019: Named Acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security

In November 2019, Chad Wolf was appointed as the Acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security.

February 2020: Revocation of New York's Trusted Traveler Programs

In February 2020, Chad Wolf announced that the Trump administration was revoking the ability of New York residents to participate in programs such as Global Entry. This was in response to New York's "sanctuary" immigration policies, which DHS claimed hindered their ability to properly vet travelers. The move resulted in legal action from the state of New York.

July 2020: Increased Public Profile

Chad Wolf maintained a low public profile in the initial part of his term. This changed in July 2020 when he became prominently involved in deploying federal law enforcement in Portland, Oregon, and other locations.

July 2020: Deployment of Federal Agents in Portland

In July 2020, Chad Wolf oversaw the deployment of approximately 100 federal agents to Portland, Oregon, in response to protests. The agents, dressed in camouflage and tactical gear, used tear gas against protesters and were involved in detaining individuals using unmarked vehicles. These actions sparked controversy and accusations of excessive force and unlawful detention.

July 2020: Expert Opinion on Acting Secretary's Term Limit

In July 2020, University of Michigan law professor Nina Mendelson, an expert on federal vacancies, stated that an acting secretary can serve for only 210 days following a vacancy left by a Senate-confirmed officeholder.

July 2020: Admission of False Statements and Resolution with New York

In July 2020, lawyers representing the Trump administration admitted in court that DHS officials had made false statements to support the exclusion of New York residents from Trusted Traveler programs. Following New York's amendment of its law to allow sharing of relevant information, the DHS lifted the restrictions on Global Entry for New Yorkers.

July 2020: Involvement in Deployment of Federal Law Enforcement in Portland

Starting in July 2020, Chad Wolf played a significant role in the deployment of federal law enforcement forces in Portland and other locations.

August 14, 2020: GAO Finding on Wolf's Appointment

On August 14, 2020, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a finding that Chad Wolf had become Acting Secretary improperly.

August 24, 2020: Trump Announces Nomination of Wolf as Permanent Secretary of Homeland Security

President Trump announced his intention to nominate Chad Wolf as the permanent Secretary of Homeland Security on August 24, 2020.

September 10, 2020: Formal Submission of Nomination to the Senate

The nomination of Chad Wolf for the position of permanent Secretary of Homeland Security was formally submitted to the Senate on September 10, 2020.

September 11, 2020: Ruling by Federal Judge Paula Xinis

Federal judge Paula Xinis ruled on September 11, 2020, that Chad Wolf was likely unlawfully serving as acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and issued an order barring the enforcement of rules Wolf had created.

September 2020: Whistleblower Complaint and Accusations of Suppressing Intelligence

A whistleblower complaint, released in September 2020, accused Chad Wolf of ordering DHS's intelligence unit to suppress reports on Russian interference in the 2020 election. The complaint alleged that Wolf believed these reports reflected negatively on the President. He was publicly accused of suppressing reports on Russian threats.

September 2020: Defiance of House Subpoena

In September 2020, Chad Wolf defied a subpoena issued by the House Committee on Homeland Security, refusing to testify before them.

September 2020: Whistleblower Accusation

In September 2020, a whistleblower accused Chad Wolf of ordering staff to suppress reports on threats posed by Russia.

September 23, 2020: Appearance Before Senate Committee

Chad Wolf appeared before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on September 23, 2020, for his nomination hearing.

October 2020: Letter to Twitter CEO

In October 2020, Wolf sent a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, urging him to pledge that Twitter would "never again censor content" on its platform.

November 14, 2020: Ruling by Federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis

Federal judge Nicholas Garaufis ruled on November 14, 2020, that Chad Wolf was not lawfully serving as acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and invalidated his suspension of DACA.

November 2020: Appointment Ruled Unlawful

In November 2020, a court ruled that Chad Wolf's appointment as the Acting United States Secretary of Homeland Security was unlawful.

January 3, 2021: Nomination Resubmitted and Withdrawn

On January 3, 2021, Chad Wolf's nomination was resubmitted to the 117th Congress. However, it was formally withdrawn on January 6, reportedly shortly after he urged President Trump to condemn the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

January 8, 2021: Ruling by Judge James Donato

On January 8, 2021, Judge James Donato of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California became the fifth judge to rule that Wolf was not lawfully acting as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security.

January 11, 2021: Resignation from Homeland Security

Following multiple court rulings that deemed his appointment invalid, Chad Wolf resigned from his position at the Department of Homeland Security on January 11, 2021.

February 2021: Joining The Heritage Foundation

After the Trump administration ended, Chad Wolf joined The Heritage Foundation as a visiting fellow in February 2021. He authored multiple papers during his time there.