Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke evolved in his long tenure as sheriff. He began as a no-nonsense tough-talking lawman, but in recent years has become a polarizing political figure.
Known as much for his frequent social media firestorms as for his stewardship of Milwaukee County law enforcement, Clarke has long been the darling of conservatives. An early and vocal supporter of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, Clarke addressed the Republican Convention in Cleveland last summer.
The cowboy hat wearing lawman has long been under fire for a series of deaths in the county lockup, but hasn't allowed that controversy to prevent him from maintaining a provocative social media presence, regularly firing insulting salvos at fellow public officials.
Like recently pardoned Arizona lawman Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Clarke has embraced President Trump's desire to enlist cops as immigration officers and deport immigrants lacking proper documentation.
As recently as this week, the president tweeted an endorsement of Clarke's latest book, calling him "a great guy."
Clarke gave no reason for his resignation in a one-paragraph letter to the county clerk. Thursday, though, POLITICO citing two sources says Clarke is expected to join the Trump administration in a position that would not require Senate confirmation. Clarke, a lightning rod, would be likely to draw criticism from both sides of the aisle were he to face Senate confirmation.
Clarke's national profile rose in late 2014 when he began making regular appearances on Fox News. He was initially called upon to talk about police tactics following unrest in Ferguson, Missouri.
