The department's leadership in acting positions has repeatedly found itself pursuing Trump's agenda. In the last three years, DHS has rolled out some of the most stringent immigration policies, and most recently, deployed personnel to respond to protests, some of them violent, after George Floyd's death -- nearly all under leadership that hasn't been confirmed by the Senate.
"The President has fired or forced out nearly every Senate confirmed leader in DHS. Those remaining are neither accountable to Congress nor empowered to push back against unreasonable political pressure," said Carrie Cordero, a senior fellow at Center for a New American Security and CNN legal analyst.
Of 27 top roles at DHS, 10 are filled in an acting capacity. The three main immigration agencies under the department -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and US Citizenship and Immigration Services -- have been helmed by acting officials for more than a year.
Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that it was unlawful to appoint Ken Cuccinelli to lead USCIS, the agency responsible for processing US immigration requests. Cuccinelli continues to serve in that role, while also performing the duties of the deputy secretary for the Department of Homeland Security -- demonstrating how thinly spread the department's leadership is.
Since 2017, the department has had five secretaries -- only two of which were confirmed by the Senate, John Kelly and Kirstjen Nielsen. The others have occupied the role in an acting capacity, often leaving the department's leaders at the whims of the President and as a result, vulnerable to increased politicization.
"DHS in the Trump administration has been asked to do tasks that are within their mandate, but the political commentary on that purpose -- and the suggestion of intent in doing those tasks -- have made it unnecessarily political," a former DHS official told CNN. "I think that applies to a lot of the immigration issues, as well as helping (Federal Protective Service) guard federal buildings."
Last November, Trump tapped Chad Wolf to head the department after his predecessor, Kevin McAleenan, resigned. Wolf was Senate confirmed for his position as undersecretary for the DHS Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, but immediately took over as the acting secretary.
"All presidentially appointed positions, whether acting or Senate confirmed, serve at the pleasure of the President," a DHS spokesperson told CNN.
In the months since Wolf's been in the job, the department has continued to push forward restrictionist immigration policies, touted Trump's border wall and doubled down on the President's message of law and order.
Trump appears to have taken notice, often lavishing praise on the acting secretary. During a recent news conference with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Trump cut into his remarks to call out Wolf. "Where is Chad? What a good job you're doing, Chad. Great job. We're proud of you," Trump said.
