President Donald Trump announced in a tweet on Tuesday afternoon that he intends to nominate current Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to hold the post permanently, 11 days after the U.S. Government Accountability Office ruled that Wolf had been named acting secretary illegally. 

“I am pleased to inform the American Public that Acting Secretary Chad Wolf will be nominated to be the Secretary of Homeland Security. Chad has done an outstanding job and we greatly appreciate his service!” Trump tweeted. 

The Department of Homeland Security has been without a Senate-confirmed secretary since Kirstjen Nielsen resigned in April 2019 — the longest cabinet vacancy in American history. Wolf has served as acting secretary since November, putatively under the Homeland Security Act — which theoretically allows him to continue to serve in the acting position while undergoing the confirmation process. 

The GAO earlier in August ruled that Nielson’s immediate replacement, Kevin McAleenan, improperly altered the rules of succession, invalidating Wolf’s appointment. 

“Because the incorrect official assumed the title of Acting Secretary at that time, subsequent amendments to the order of succession made by that official were invalid and officials who assumed their positions under such amendments, including Chad Wolf and Kenneth