The White House has withdrawn acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf’s nomination to permanently lead the agency after he urged President Donald Trump to condemn the violence from Wednesday’s protests.
Wolf issued a statement on Wednesday calling on the president to “strongly condemn” the riots.
“What transpired yesterday was tragic and sickening. While I have consistently condemned political violence on both sides of the aisle, specifically violence directed at law enforcement, we now see some supporters of the President using violence as a means to achieve political ends,” Wolf said.
He added, “This is unacceptable. These violent actions are unconscionable, and I implore the President and all elected officials to strongly condemn the violence that took place yesterday.”
Wolf explained the priority of the DHS is to take the safety and security of Americans “seriously.”
He continued, “Any appearance of inciting violence by an elected official goes against who we are as Americans. Every American is guaranteed the right to peacefully protest, but once those protests become violent, we should enforce our laws and bring those responsible to justice—regardless of political motivations.”
Wolf said in the statement that he is planning on remaining at his post for the remainder of Trump’s presidency.
“I will remain in my position until the end of the Administration to ensure the Department’s focus remains on the serious threats facing our country and an orderly transition to President-elect Biden’s DHS team,” he concluded.
After he released his comments, the White House announced in a statement Trump pulled his nomination.
Several Trump administration officials resigned from their positions following the riots, as IJR previously reported.
Former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Stephanie Grisham, chief of staff for First Lady Melania Trump, deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews, and social secretary Anna Cristina “Rickie” Niceta all announced their resignations so far.
Washington, D.C., police said four individuals died and 70 were arrested as a result of the violence, according to Fox News.