Trump withdraws Wolf’s nomination for Homeland Security chief as he criticises president over riots

Wolf criticises president but did not resign unlike many of his colleagues

Chad Wolf has had his nomination for Homeland Security chief pulled by the White House. (EPA-EFE)

Chad Wolf has had his nomination for Homeland Security chief pulled by the White House, after which he publicly criticised President Donald Trump over violent riots that took place in the Capitol on Wednesday.

Wolf, who remains in the role as acting DHS chief and whose nomination would not have been confirmed by the Senate given the incoming administration, criticised the rioting and suggested Mr Trump should have taken further action, but did not resign unlike many of his colleagues.

"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. 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 said in a statement.

"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."

He added: "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."

Following suggestions on social media that Wolf’s nomination had been withdrawn following his release of the statement criticising President Trump, the White House stressed in a statement that the withdrawal had been sent a day prior to the statement being released.

According to Bloomberg, White House spokesman Judd Deere said that the withdrawal of the nomination “was not related at all to Wednesday’s events or the Acting Secretary’s comments this morning. Acting Secretary Wolf remains the acting secretary and continues to perform the duties of his office”.

Wolf is the sole Cabinet member to make a direct reference to President Trump while condemning the violence in the Capitol, which left four dead and others injured after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol, prompting the building to be put on lockdown as lawmakers were encouraged to hide or seek cover as the building was breached.

The president has since faced criticism after sending mixed messages to the mob - both suggesting they go home and telling them “we love you”.