United States Secretary of Homeland Security

United States Secretary of Homeland Security is the head of the United States Department of Homeland Security and a principal member of the Cabinet of the United States. The secretary is responsible for leading the third-largest federal department, overseeing a broad mission to protect the United States from threats both foreign and domestic. The position was established following the September 11 attacks and the subsequent passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

History and establishment

The office was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, signed into law by President George W. Bush in November 2002. This legislation was a direct response to the security failures revealed by the September 11 attacks, which were detailed in the 9/11 Commission Report. The new department consolidated 22 disparate federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Customs and Border Protection. The first secretary, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, was sworn in on January 24, 2003, after the department officially began operations.

Duties and responsibilities

The secretary's primary duty is to secure the nation from a wide array of hazards. This includes preventing terrorist attacks, managing border security, administering and enforcing immigration laws, and safeguarding cyberspace. The secretary also oversees the federal response to natural disasters and emergencies through FEMA. Key operational components reporting to the secretary include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Appointment and succession

The secretary is appointed by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by a majority vote in the United States Senate. The secretary is in the seventeenth position in the presidential line of succession. In the event of a vacancy, the Deputy Secretary would typically serve as acting secretary, followed by other officials as designated in the department's order of succession. The White House Office of Presidential Personnel typically manages the vetting and nomination process.

List of secretaries

Since the department's creation, there have been seven confirmed secretaries serving under four presidents. The first, Tom Ridge, served under President George W. Bush. He was succeeded by Michael Chertoff. Under President Barack Obama, Janet Napolitano and Jeh Johnson served in the role. President Donald Trump appointed John F. Kelly and then Kirstjen Nielsen. The current secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, was appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the 118th Congress in 2021.

Office and support structure

The secretary's principal office is located at the Nebraska Avenue Complex in Washington, D.C., though department leadership is transitioning to the St. Elizabeths West Campus. The secretary is supported by a large staff, including the Deputy Secretary, several Under Secretaries, and numerous Assistant Secretaries. Key immediate offices include the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Policy, and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. The secretary also regularly testifies before congressional committees such as the House Homeland Security Committee and the Senate Homeland Security Committee. Category:United States Secretaries of Homeland Security Category:United States Department of Homeland Security