Bice: Clarke downplays talk of Trump cabinet post

This story was originally published on Nov. 9, 2016. 

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. is downplaying talk that he might land a cabinet post in Donald Trump's administration.

Politico reported on Wednesday that a source close to Trump's campaign said Clarke is under consideration to become Homeland Security chief. Also being touted as a possible candidate is New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

On Wednesday, Clarke's office issued a zen-like statement from the sheriff on the story.

"There has been a lot of speculation as to what a Donald Trump win might have on my future," Clarke wrote. "Let me make this clear — I am the sheriff of Milwaukee County.  I will continue to be the sheriff of Milwaukee County until I am no longer the sheriff of Milwaukee County, at which time I won’t be the sheriff of Milwaukee County."

Got that?

Clarke continued:

"Anything other than that is pure speculation. I supported Donald Trump because I believed in his leadership at a time when this country needs it most."

In recent months, the sheriff, who was first appointed in 2002, has acted as a surrogate for the Trump campaign, traveling all over the country campaigning for the GOP candidate. He told Fox News that he visited seven cities in five states over four days near the end of the campaign. The sheriff has argued that the survival of the American republic depended on the election of Trump.

While away, Clarke hasn't responded to questions about the recent death of two inmates at the Milwaukee County Jail, including one that has been ruled a homicide. Four inmates have died at the jail, which Clarke's office oversees, over the past year.

The sheriff has also maintained that he is always on call, so he is not vacationing from his day job, for which he is paid $132,290 annually.

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.