Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and US President Donald Trump in Yuma, Arizona BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP
Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, announced his resignation on Monday afternoon.
Wolf's resignation adds to a string of senior officials in the Donald Trump Administration who have stepped aside after the assault on Capitol Hill last week.
Peter Gaynor, administrator of the National Emergency Agency (FEMA, for its acronym in English), will take office in office starting at midnight on Monday.
Wolf's last action was to advance by one week, starting on January 13, the special security operation for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, set for the 20th of this month.
The FBI, Pentagon and Twitter have warned that more riots are planned in Washington for the inauguration of the Democrat.
"I am saddened to take this step as it was my intention to serve the Department until the end of this Administration," Wolf wrote in a statement, citing ongoing litigation that questions the validity of his appointment.
"Unfortunately, this action is justified by recent events, including ongoing and meritless court rulings on the validity of my authority," he added, hinting that his resignation is not related to the violent events in Congress.
Wolf had been critical of Trump after the assault on the Capitol.
In a statement he described the events as "tragic and disgusting."
"I implore that the president and the elected authorities firmly condemn the violence" [last Wednesday] ".
In that same writing, he said that he would remain in his post until January 20 to ensure a smooth transition with Biden's team is implemented.
Wolf, who spent 14 months at the head of the Department of Homeland Security, is the last Trump cabinet secretary to resign after the riots.
Betsy DeVos, who was serving as Secretary of Education, and Elaine Chao, as Secretary of Transportation, also resigned.
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