United States Secretary of Homeland Security
The terrorist attacks of the 11th of September 2001, shattered the existing patchwork of American security agencies. Before that day, responsibilities for border control, disaster response, and intelligence were scattered across dozens of separate entities like the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Congress responded with urgency by passing the Homeland Security Act in November 2002. This legislation merged twenty-two different federal organizations into a single Cabinet-level department. The new entity officially opened its doors on the 6th of January 2003, under the leadership of Tom Ridge. Ridge had previously served as Governor of Pennsylvania before President George W. Bush appointed him to lead the Office of Homeland Security. That office existed only briefly before evolving into the full Department of Homeland Security. The legislative process involved intense debate over how much power should be consolidated in one location. Critics worried about bureaucratic bloat while supporters argued that coordination was essential after the failures of 2001.
Tom Ridge took office on the 24th of January 2003, serving until the 1st of February 2005 during the first term of President George W. Bush. James Loy stepped in as acting secretary from the 1st of February 2005, to the 15th of February 2005, holding the role in his capacity as Deputy Secretary. Michael Chertoff received Senate confirmation with a vote of 98, 0 on the 15th of February 2005, and served until the 21st of January 2009. Janet Napolitano held the position from the 21st of January 2009, to the 6th of September 2013, receiving her appointment through a voice vote rather than a formal roll call. Rand Beers acted as secretary between the 6th of September 2013, and the 23rd of December 2013, before Jeh Johnson took office. Johnson served from the 23rd of December 2013, to the 20th of January 2017, winning Senate approval by a margin of 78, 16. John F. Kelly began his tenure on the 20th of January 2017, leaving office on the 31st of July 2017 after only six months. Elaine Duke served as acting secretary from the 31st of July 2017, to the 6th of December 2017. Kirstjen Nielsen was confirmed on the 6th of December 2017, serving until the 10th of April 2019 in a vote of 62, 37. Kevin McAleenan acted as secretary from the 10th of April 2019, to the 13th of November 2019, though his tenure was later ruled unlawful. Chad Wolf held the role from the 13th of November 2019, to the 11th of January 2021, also facing legal challenges regarding his appointment. Pete Gaynor served briefly from the 11th of January 2021, to the 20th of January 2021. David Pekoske took over from the 20th of January 2021, to the 2nd of February 2021. Alejandro Mayorkas assumed office on the 2nd of February 2021, and left on the 25th of January 2025, following a Senate vote of 56, 43. Kristi Noem became the incumbent Secretary on the 25th of January 2025.
The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 generally governs how acting officials are appointed across federal agencies. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created specific exceptions to this standard rule for the Department of Homeland Security. Under these rules, the under secretary of homeland security for management ranks third in the line of succession for Secretary of Homeland Security. This statutory framework allows the secretary to directly establish an alternate order of succession outside normal provisions. As of the 8th of November 2019, the official order placed the Deputy Secretary first, followed by the Under Secretary for Management, then the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A different list existed prior to that date based on Executive Order 13753 issued in 2016. That earlier order listed the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as fourth in line after the Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs. Legal challenges arose regarding updates made to these succession lists during the Trump administration. Kevin McAleenan served as acting secretary while holding his position as Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. Chad Wolf acted as secretary despite being named Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans. Courts later ruled both tenures unlawful due to violations of the Homeland Security Act's specific requirements.
The Office of the Secretary oversees the execution of duties across the entire Department of Homeland Security. Most heads of subordinate elements report directly to either the Secretary or the Deputy Secretary. The Military Advisor and Executive Secretary instead report to the DHS Chief of Staff, a position that has remained vacant since January 2025. During an immigration raid on the 8th of April 2025, Kristi Noem was accompanied by Corey Lewandowski who introduced himself as chief of staff. DHS clarified that Lewandowski is actually an adviser and special government employee rather than a formal department official. The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties ensures individual liberty remains protected within all department activities. Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia serves as Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties under this office. Nathan Stiefel acts as CIS Ombudsman helping resolve issues between the public and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Cass Sunstein and Robert P. Silvers co-chair the Climate Change Action Group which analyzes impacts on DHS missions. Jonathan Meyer leads the Office of General Counsel which employs over 3,000 attorneys to provide legal advice. Zephranie Buetow serves as Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs managing relations with Congress. Heather Fong directs the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement coordinating efforts with tribal and campus police forces.
President George W. Bush nominated Bernard Kerik for the position in 2004 but withdrew his nomination just one week later. Kerik explained he had employed an illegal immigrant as a nanny which disqualified him from holding federal office. By July 2013, Raymond Kelly had served as Commissioner of the New York City Police Department for nearly twelve straight years. President Obama called Kelly one of the best candidates available during a the 16th of July 2013 interview. Critics launched campaigns against Kelly citing claims of divisive policing that promoted stereotypes and profiling. The Huffington Post reported growing opposition to his potential nomination amid concerns about stop-and-frisk policies. Kelly responded with statistics-heavy opinion pieces defending NYPD programs claiming they saved 7,383 lives. He argued these practices largely protected young men of color according to data published in the Wall Street Journal. CBS News featured Kelly extensively on their Sunday Morning program in December 2013 discussing crime decline rates. These controversies highlighted how political affiliations and past law enforcement records influenced nominations throughout the department's history.
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Common questions
Who was the first Secretary of Homeland Security and when did they take office?
Tom Ridge became the first Secretary of Homeland Security on the 24th of January 2003. He previously served as Governor of Pennsylvania before President George W. Bush appointed him to lead the Office of Homeland Security.
When was the Department of Homeland Security officially established by Congress?
Congress passed the Homeland Security Act in November 2002 to merge twenty-two federal organizations into a single Cabinet-level department. The new entity officially opened its doors on the 6th of January 2003 following the terrorist attacks of the 11th of September 2001.
How many votes were cast for Alejandro Mayorkas during his Senate confirmation vote?
Alejandro Mayorkas assumed office on the 2nd of February 2025 after receiving a Senate vote of 56, 43. He left office on the 25th of January 2025 following this confirmation process.
What is the current line of succession for acting Secretary of Homeland Security as of late 2019?
As of the 8th of November 2019, the official order placed the Deputy Secretary first followed by the Under Secretary for Management and then the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This statutory framework allows the secretary to directly establish an alternate order of succession outside normal provisions.
Why was Bernard Kerik's nomination withdrawn from consideration in 2004?
President George W. Bush nominated Bernard Kerik for the position in 2004 but withdrew his nomination just one week later because he had employed an illegal immigrant as a nanny. This employment disqualified him from holding federal office under existing laws.