Chad Wolf

Chad Wolf

Acting Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

also Chief of Staff, Department of Homeland Security

RECORD

As a top official at the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf was one of the early architects of the family separation policy, the deliberately cruel measure intended to deter potential migrants. Wolf later oversaw elements of the administration’s harsh crackdown on racial justice protesters in Portland, Oregon and other cities.

 

Vilifying Immigrants and Separating Families

  • Wolf is considered to have been “an early architect of the migrant family separation policy at the southwest border.” [NBC, 10/22/19]

Anti-Democratic Efforts

  • Wolf faced criticism for allegedly “provok[ing] confrontation” between Portland protestors and DHS agents all while federal agents used unmarked minivans to detain Portland protestors [Time, 07/17/20]

News Coverage and Headlines

  • “Since taking over as acting secretary of homeland security this past November, Wolf has gone further than any of his predecessors to thwart immigration and to deport foreign-born residents, with little regard for law or process. Now, though, he has extended that approach to sending his federal deportation force against American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights, as footage emerged last week of unmarked forces under Wolf’s command abducting protesters off of the streets of Portland, Oregon.” [Slate, 07/21/20]
  • HEADLINE: “Chad Wolf’s Legacy of Loyalty to Trump” [American Oversight, 03/25/21]
  • HEADLINE: “Records Highlight Difference in Trump Administration’s Response to Racial Justice Protests and Attack on Capitol” [American Oversight, 01/19/21]