Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf resigned Monday (11), nine days before President-elect Joe Biden was inaugurated. He was one of those responsible for coordinating the security of the event, which is expected to be the scene of further episodes of violence.
The information comes from the New York Times, which had access to the resignation letter. Wolf told ministry officials he would step down in part due to court rulings that overturned some of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
“Unfortunately, this action is justified by recent events, including pending and unfounded court decisions as to the validity of my authority as acting secretary,” Wolf said in the letter, which made no mention of the episode last Wednesday (6), when Trump supporters invaded the US Congress.
“These events and concerns increasingly serve to distract attention and resources from the important work of the Ministry at this critical time in the transition of power.”
Wolf probably alluded to Dhaka, a program that prevents the deportation of immigrants who entered the country when they were children. The secretary issued a memo that limited the program to those already enrolled, but in December a judge ordered the full restoration of the program created in 2012 by Barack Obama.
Peter Gaynor, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will replace Wolf as acting secretary and will now be responsible for helping to keep Biden’s tenure safe on the 20th.
The FBI, the US federal police, issued an alert on Monday of possible armed protests that are planned in Washington and other state capitals for the day of the inauguration.
After the invasion of Congress and in the face of new threats of violence from supporters of Donald Trump, the National Guard was authorized to send up to 15,000 troops to Washington.
Additionally, tourists are prohibited from visiting the Washington Monument, an obelisk that is one of the city’s postcards, until January 24.
At least two police officers who worked on Capitol Hill have been suspended and more than a dozen are under investigation for allegedly supporting last week’s invaders, according to the Washington Post.
According to Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio, the Capitol Police Chief is investigating any actions that could have facilitated the invasion of the building.
One of the inquiries, which continues in secret, seeks to find out whether any of the officers issued messages in support of the protests and Trump’s allegations that the election was rigged – even though he never produced any evidence.
In another, officials are investigating another officer who posted critical messages to the Democratic president-elect.
“I’m not afraid to take the oath over there,” Biden said in conversation with reporters Monday in Newark, Delaware, referring to the traditional oath on the grounds of the Capitol building, as reported ‘calls. the Congress building.
The Biden committee has asked Americans not to attend the ceremony – the event often draws hundreds of thousands of supporters and visitors to the U.S. capital.
The theme for this year’s event will be “United America” and, according to the organization, “reflects the start of a new national journey that restores the soul of America”, echoing Democrats’ election promise. to heal the divisions of a deeply divided country. .
Last week Trump confirmed he would not attend the inauguration of the new government – the break in that tradition has only happened three other times in the country’s history, all in the 19th century. However, current vice president Mike Pence will be in attendance, according to a senior Trump administration official.