By Wesley Lowery and Lisa Rein, washingtonpost.com
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, a controversial figure in Republican politics, announced Wednesday that he will be appointed to a high-ranking position in the Department of Homeland Security.
Clarke said during a local radio interview Wednesday afternoon that he will be appointed as an assistant secretary in the Office of Partnership and Engagement, acting as a liaison between the agency and local police departments and likely pressuring them to enforce the Trump administration’s tough new crackdown on illegal immigration. The position that does not require Senate confirmation.
“I’m both honored and humbled to be appointed to this position,” he said during the interview with WISN Milwaukee.
A spokesman for Clarke confirmed to The Post that the sheriff will step down to be appointed to the position, which he expects to begin sometime in June.
“Basically he’ll be the liaison between DHS and different types of law enforcement,” said Craig Peterson, a spokesman for Clarke. “He’s probably not going to say much more until the official announcement, but he’s excited.”
