Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said Wednesday he will be leaving his post for a job at the Department of Homeland Security in the nation's capital.
Clarke, who has made a name for himself as a conservative guest on cable news and even spoke at last summer's Republican National Convention, made the announcement during an interview on "The Vicki McKenna Show."
"I said from the beginning after President [Donald] Trump was elected, if asked to serve I would," Clarke said. "It's time to move on to my next chapter in law enforcement."
Clarke will work under Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly as one of his assistant secretaries in the Office of Partnership and Programs. His role will entail being a liaison between Kelly and three entities: the private sector, state and local governments, and law enforcement at the state, local and tribal levels.
"I'm both honored and humbled to be appointed to this position by Secretary Kelly working for the Trump administration," Clarke told McKenna.
Clarke was a patrol officer and homicide detective at the Milwaukee Police Department for 24 years. In 2002, he was named Milwaukee County sheriff. He said DHS is a big agency and requires support at all of its levels.
"We have to make sure there are no gaps and that the people on the outside — the private sector, local law enforcement, other government officials — feel a part of this thing," Clarke said. "They have needs that we can provide and they play an important role."
Once the news of Clarke's new job spread, the Department of Homeland Security jumped into the fray and said his position has not yet been announced:
It is unclear when Kelly or DHS will make the news official.