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Wolf, who currently heads the Department of Homeland Security's
policy office in an acting capacity, would become the fifth
person to head the agency under President Donald Trump.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said earlier
in October that he would leave his post by Oct. 31, but told
lawmakers during a House of Representatives committee hearing
this week that he would stay at the department longer to ensure
a smooth transition.
Politico cited one of the sources as saying McAleenan would now
stay until Nov. 7.
The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request
for comment.
Immigration hawks inside and outside the Trump administration
pressed in recent weeks for the president to consider other
candidates for the role. Specifically, they pushed for acting
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ken
Cuccinelli and acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner
Mark Morgan.
Both Cuccinelli and Morgan have promoted the president's
immigration crackdown and could amplify that message in the
run-up to the November 2020 election.
Trump could nominate either official to become secretary on a
permanent basis, but Cuccinelli in particular could face
opposition in the Senate. He previously ran a political action
committee that backed conservative challengers to incumbent
Republican senators.
McAleenan has held the position since April. During that time,
he has faced criticism from immigration hawks for a perceived
lack of commitment to Trump's agenda.
Wolf was previously a top aide to former Homeland Security
Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who resigned in April.
(Reporting by Ted Hesson, Mohammad Zargham and Eric Beech;
Editing by Peter Cooney)
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