Who could be the next DHS secretary?

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John Kelly sworn in as White House chief of staff

President Trump praises general, touts economic gains during photo-op in Oval Office

Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly's move from secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to White House chief of staff leaves big shoes for the White House to fill.

At DHS, Kelly emerged as a key force in the administration, taking the lead on some of President Trump’s more controversial policies – including his executive orders suspending the admission of refugees into the U.S. and placing a moratorium on visitors from multiple Muslim-majority countries.

“He has been a true star of my administration,” Trump tweeted on Friday as he announced the personnel change.

With Kelly being sworn in as White House chief of staff Monday morning, the Department of Homeland Security needs a new “star.” Here’s a look at who President Trump might tap for the post.

Kris Kobach

As Kansas’ secretary of state, Kris Kobach serves as the vice chair of Trump’s task force investigating alleged voter fraud in the country.

Kobach, who is vying to be the next governor in Kansas, reportedly turned down previous offers of employment in the Trump administration in order to stay in Kansas. One of those positions was with DHS, according to the Kansas City Star.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stands with Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach before their meeting at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., November 20, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar - RTSSISM (REUTERS)

KELLY BRINGING DHS DEPUTY TO WHITE HOUSE

In November, Kobach, 51, met with Trump and was infamously photographed holding a “strategic plan” for DHS for the next year. The visible portion of the plan included reducing the number of Syrian refugees admitted into the U.S. to zero and calling for “extreme vetting questions” for “high-risk aliens,” the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

Seth Stodder, a former DHS official, told Politico that Kobach would be a “radioactive” pick for the position.

“It would be one hell of a confirmation hearing,” Stodder said. “I just can’t imagine that happening.”

Michael McCaul

As the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, is a top contender to take over for Kelly, according to Politico.

U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) is escorted by Madeleine Westerhout (R) as he arrives at Trump Tower to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in New York, U.S., November 29, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar - RTSTVXB (REUTERS)

Before Trump tapped Kelly to lead DHS, McCaul, 55, advocated for the job himself.

Then, the possibility of McCaul heading up DHS angered border hawks who thought the congressman was too weak on border security and would be too pro-amnesty for those who are in the country illegally.

INCOMING HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY HAS SERVED 3 PRESIDENTS

McCaul praised Trump’s foreign policy decisions as “strong and decisive” in an editorial for Fox News last week.

“I may not agree with President Trump on each and every issue, but his administration has clearly demonstrated that the world can be a much more peaceful and prosperous place when America leads from the front,” McCaul said.

Thomas Homan

Thomas Homan has been the acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement since January 2017.

He is a former New York police officer, Border Patrol agent, supervisory special agent and deputy assistant director for investigations at ICE, according to his ICE biography.

Thomas Homan (R), acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), and U.S. Attorney for Utah John Huber hold a briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 28, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - RTS190OW (REUTERS)

INSIDE KELLY’S SHORT, ACCOMPLISHED RECORD AS DHS SECRETARY

Homan traveled with Trump to Long Island last week when the president gave a speech vowing a stronger crackdown on MS-13, the violent Central American gang plaguing certain areas of the country – including Long Island.

Jeff Sessions

Trump has called his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, “beleaguered” and has publicly criticized the former Alabama senator for recusing himself from the investigation into potential Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions looks on during a news conference announcing the takedown of the dark web marketplace AlphaBay, at the Justice Department in Washington, U.S., July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein - RTX3C8RU (REUTERS)

But amid the fighting, Sessions could move to DHS – where he would still be able to tackle illegal immigration.

Dana Perino, the former White House press secretary for George W. Bush, argued that a move could ease tensions between Trump and conservatives who would be angry if Sessions was fired.

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“Conservatives that came to Jeff Sessions’ defense this week all said, ‘But he’s doing the best on the issue we care about most and that is immigration.’ Well, where can Jeff Sessions do even more on immigration? As the secretary of Homeland Security,” she said Friday on Fox News’ “The Five.”

But not everyone seems thrilled with the idea. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., tweeted on Saturday that “DHS Secretary Jeff Sessions doesn’t sound right, doesn’t feel right.”

“AG Jeff Sessions has a good ring to it,” Graham said.

Rick Perry

Energy Secretary Rick Perry is being considered as the next Homeland Security secretary, according to Bloomberg.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 21: Texas Governor Rick Perry delivers remarks about immigration and the need for more aggressive enforcement along the Texas-Mexico border at the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation August 21, 2014 in Washington, DC. The governor of Texas since 2000 and a one-time presidential candidate, Perry was recently indicted by a Travis County grand jury for abuse of power and coercion of a public servant after he vetoed $7.5 million in funding for the state's Public Integrity Unit, which is investigating Perry's Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The former Texas governor and “Dancing with the Stars” contestant was seemingly a surprising pick to lead the Department of Energy given that he did not hold a Ph.D. in physics like some of his predecessors. Instead, he graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in animal science.

Perry also advocated to abolish the Energy Department when he ran for president in 2012.

But Perry does have experience dealing with immigration and border issues during his tenure as Texas’ governor. However, as Bloomberg reported, his views on immigration policy don’t quite match Trump’s; Perry supported legislation that allowed undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition at public universities.

Elaine Duke

As deputy secretary of Homeland Security, Elaine Duke is set to take over the department on an interim basis with the departure of Kelly.

Duke, who was sworn-in to her position in April 2017, “leads all efforts related to the strategic execution of DHS’s vital missions,” according to her DHS biography. She was confirmed with a vote of 85 to 14 in the Senate – with one Republican abstaining and 13 Democrats voting against her.

She has served in various positions in the federal government for nearly 30 years and sat on the Homeland Security Advisory Council, her biography states. The Hill reported that Duke would be “noncontroversial” and a “bipartisan pick” to become DHS secretary.

Duke does waiver from Trump on one key issue – the border wall. During her confirmation hearing, she said she would be open to exploring more virtual ways to secure the country’s borders, The Hill reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.