The Trump administration is considering a number of candidates to replace John Kelly as head of the Department of Homeland Security, with two Texans making the shortlist to head the large agency.
Energy Secretary Rick Perry and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mike McCaul, both Republicans from the Lone Star State, are both reportedly on the list for possible consideration after Kelly left the post last week to serve as the White House’s new chief of staff.
One source close to Trump’s transition team and the administration noted that Perry is a possibility because he had originally wanted a spot at the Department of Defense. “DHS was a close second choice,” the source explained.
“It’s either a trial balloon or legitimate, or both,” said a second source with ties to the Trump transition team. “I mean Perry is already on the team, and he has dealt with a lot of the issues being governor of Texas. A lot of border issues. He’s more aligned with [Trump] on the border.”
Perry may also be more “palatable” than some of the other choices being floated, like McCaul. “I think he is also more palatable than some of the alternatives floating around for some of the more strident immigration groups,” the source said. “There is certainly not a lot of high intensity feeling of love for McCaul in some of those camps.”
Nevertheless, it may be the case that Perry only looks good on paper but isn’t the wisest choice in reality, the source added. “I am personally doubtful.”
Perry often says that being energy secretary is the “coolest” job he has ever had, and the source said he is creating a “little empire” at the department by bringing in a half-dozen senior staff that he has had professional relationships with in the past, including a number of nominees that are currently awaiting confirmation in the Senate.
A lobbyist source said Perry’s being put on the list appears to be legitimate, but it should be taken with a grain of salt. The source is “somewhat skeptical” on Perry’s being picked to led the agency.
Below is a more expansive list of contenders to head the department, with Perry and McCaul along with a number of long shots like Attorney General Jeff Sessions:
1. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas
McCaul is a top contender as Kelly’s successor. He’s a seven-term congressman and has overseen the House Homeland Security Committee for more than four years, which would likely make him an easier nominee to confirm in the Senate than more strident conservatives or those without legislative experience.
Although McCaul is a Republican, he is seen by some groups as not conservative enough, while others believe his immigration stances are too far to the right. McCaul proposed an immigration bill last week that included language for $10 billion in funding for President Trump’s border wall.
2. Energy Secretary Rick Perry
Perry was sworn in back in March as the nation’s 14th secretary of energy after serving two consecutive terms as governor of Texas and running for the U.S. presidency in 2012 when he vowed to eliminate the agency he now heads. He also briefly ran for the White House in the 2016 campaign.
Perry was confirmed by the Senate in a 62-37 vote to head the Department of Energy. He has been charged by the president to promote the administration’s “energy dominance” agenda, which seeks to make the nation energy-independent through development of its natural resources while also creating a global market for America’s coal, oil, and natural gas.
3. Elaine Duke
The acting DHS secretary has been a civil servant for nearly three decades, including the last eight years at DHS. Duke’s background is in acquisition and management.
James Norton, a former DHS official from President George W. Bush’s administration, told the Washington Examiner that Duke is “seen as a solid leader and both sides of the Hill are comfortable with her leadership style.”
4. Jeff Sessions
Trump recently tweeted about his dissatisfaction with Attorney General Jeff Sessions due to his recusing himself from the federal investigation into Russia’s interference in the election. Since Sessions is unable to keep tabs on the Russian probe as Trump had hoped, he could be on the backburner for DHS. Sessions, who has experience leading the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest, is known as an immigration hawk, which could make him too controversial a replacement.
The former Alabama senator was able to pass through the Senate confirmation process to his current job at the Justice Department, but having to go through that process again could prove difficult if not impossible. As a current Cabinet official, Sessions would be allowed to serve up to 210 days as acting secretary, but could not permanently take over with Senate approval.
5. Thomas Homan
The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has impressed Trump with how he has carried out executive orders to fully implement immigration policy in the interior of the United States. Homan has decades of experience as a law enforcement officer.
As the frontman for Trump’s tough stance and enforcement of immigration policies, Homan could be difficult to confirm through such a partisan Senate.
6. Kris Kobach
Kobach was skipped over by the Trump administration for a Cabinet position, but is still working at Kansas secretary of state. He was recently tapped to co-chair the White House’s commission on voting integrity.
Kobach’s immigration views are very much in line with Trump’s, which could make him a target in Senate hearings.
7. Rudy Giuliani
New York City’s former mayor endorsed Trump early on in the Republican presidential race and was also skipped over for a Cabinet position. Giuliani is viewed as a national security expert for his private sector endeavors in the industry. Like Kobach and Sessions, Giuliani comes at immigration from a very conservative point of view.
