Rick Perry denies he’s interested in replacing Nielsen at Homeland Security

Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Monday that he’s not interested in replacing Kirstjen Nielsen as the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“I’m happy where I am and the president is happy where I am,” Perry told Bloomberg News.

{mosads}Perry’s comments follow The Washington Post’s report on Sunday that Perry was among the possible nominees to replace Nielsen. The Post noted that Perry was seen as a candidate who could be easily confirmed.

Trump also reportedly considered Perry to lead the DHS last year before ultimately nominating Nielsen.

Perry, the former Texas governor, has served as the secretary of the Department of Energy since being confirmed in 2017. 

Nielsen resigned from her position on Sunday and will leave the DHS on Wednesday. Kevin McAleenan, the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, will serve as the acting head of the department until a permanent secretary is confirmed.