North Carolina Governor Josh Stein withdrew his nomination of Jeff Smythe to lead the state Department of Public Safety, citing the state Senate’s refusal to hold a confirmation hearing since the appointment was announced in December 2025, WUNC reported on August 10, 2026.
“By failing to consider his nomination or even hold a single public hearing, the Senate abdicated its responsibility,” Stein said, according to WUNC.
Smythe has nearly four decades of law enforcement experience, including eight years as Burlington’s police chief. WUNC reported he will now serve as the governor’s senior advisor for homeland security.
📨 Get Free News Stories Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Senate Judiciary chairs cited law enforcement concerns about Smythe’s qualifications and his concurrent service as a Burlington city councilman.
Not established by this report: who will now be nominated to lead the department, or when the Senate might act on a replacement.
Story Details
| Primary Source | WUNC |
| Reported | August 10, 2026 |
| Location | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Verification | Confirmed — quotes and details verified at the publisher |
| Topic | Politics & Policy |
Sources
- WUNC — Stein pulls Department of Public Safety nomination (Aug 10, 2026)
- Office of the Governor of North Carolina — Press Releases
Every claim above is attributed to the sources listed.
Where the record changes, this page is updated and the correction is noted with its date.