Acting Secretary
On November 13, 2019, Chad F. Wolf was designated as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security by President Donald J. Trump and was also confirmed as the first Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY). Previously, he served as the Acting Under Secretary.
As the senior official for PLCY, Mr. Wolf leads the Department’s policymaking process to develop and coordinate strategies and policies that advance the homeland security mission and protect the American public.
Since his selection by the President, Mr. Wolf has advanced many of the Administration’s critical priorities across the entire homeland security mission. Mr. Wolf oversaw the completion of the recently released DHS Strategic Plan, which establishes the Department’s long-term strategic goals and objectives to inform key leadership decisions. Additionally, he led several significant initiatives to counter international and domestic terrorism, prevent terrorist travel, safeguard the U.S. electoral process, and protect American trade interests. As part of his duties, Mr. Wolf led and coordinated the Department’s engagement with international partners to protect American homeland security interests at home and abroad.
During his tenure, Mr. Wolf has made significant progress to strengthen U.S. border security, address the humanitarian crisis on the U.S. Southwest Border, and improve the integrity of the U.S. immigration system. As a result of these efforts, Mr. Wolf and his staff have implemented policies that protect American communities from transnational criminal organizations and safeguard American workers.
With over 20 years of policy development and management experience in both the public and private sectors, Mr. Wolf is an effective leader and policymaker on a variety of complex issues. During the Trump Administration, he served as the Chief of Staff for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff for the Department. For his leadership and management of complex national issues, Mr. Wolf received the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal. Shortly after the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, Mr. Wolf served as the Assistant Administrator of Transportation Security Policy in which he played a leading role in establishing the Transportation Security Administration.
Beyond his service in the executive branch, Mr. Wolf served as Vice President and Senior Director at Wexler & Walker, a bipartisan public policy consultancy, and held staff positions in the U.S. Senate.
Mr. Wolf earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Southern Methodist University, and holds a Master’s Certificate in Government Contract Management from Villanova University.