Government Watchdog Says Homeland Security Leaders Were Not Legitimately Appointed

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Acting U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf testifies during a hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on August 6.





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The Trump administration has relied heavily on temporary appointments rather than permanently filling key posts. President Trump has said he prefers acting appointments for the speed and flexibility they offer. Because they do not require Senate confirmation, such postings bypass a layer of legislative oversight over the executive branch.

Under the leadership of Wolf and Cuccinelli, Homeland Security has attracted intense scrutiny for such actions as deploying federal agents to protests in Portland over the opposition of local and state leaders.

The GAO says its review only focused on the legality of the appointments themselves — and not on what this means for actions taken by DHS officials. That matter is being referred to another government watchdog for review.

• government accountability office


• Department of Homeland Security