View source for United States Secretary of Homeland Security

{{short description|Head of the United States Department of Homeland Security}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = United States Secretary
| body = Homeland Security
| insignia = Seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security.svg
| insigniasize = 
| insigniacaption = Seal of the Department of Homeland Security
| insigniaalt = 
| flag = Flag of the United States Secretary of Homeland Security.svg
| flagsize = 
| flagalt = 
| flagborder = yes
| flagcaption = Flag of the secretary
| image       = Official Portrait of Secretary Kristi Noem.jpg
| alt = 
| incumbent = [[Kristi Noem]]
| incumbentsince = January 25, 2025
| department = [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]]
| style = [[Secretary (title)|Madam Secretary]] (informal)<br/>[[The Honourable|The Honorable]] (formal)
| type = 
| status = 
| abbreviation = 
| member_of = [[Cabinet of the United States|Cabinet]]<br/>[[United States Homeland Security Council|Homeland Security Council]]<br/>[[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]]
| reports_to = [[President of the United States]]
| residence = 
| seat = [[St. Elizabeths Hospital|St. Elizabeths West Campus]], [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| nominator = 
| appointer = The [[President of the United States|president]]
| appointer_qualified = with [[United States Senate|Senate]] [[advice and consent]] 
| termlength = No fixed term
| termlength_qualified = 
| constituting_instrument = {{UnitedStatesCode|6|112}}
| precursor = 
| formation = {{start date and age|2003|01|24|p=1|br=1}}
| first = [[Tom Ridge]]
| last = 
| abolished = 
| succession = [[United States presidential line of succession|Eighteenth]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/19|title=3 U.S. Code § 19 – Vacancy in offices of both President and Vice President; officers eligible to act|website=LII / Legal Information Institute}}</ref>
| unofficial_names = 
| deputy = [[Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security|Deputy Secretary]]
| salary = [[Executive Schedule|Executive Schedule, Level I]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.dhs.gov/|dhs.gov}}
}}

The '''United States secretary of homeland security''' is the head of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]], the [[United States federal executive departments|federal department]] tasked with ensuring [[public safety]] in the [[United States]]. The secretary is a member of the [[Cabinet of the United States]]. The position was created by the [[Homeland Security Act]] following the [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001]].

The new department consisted primarily of components transferred from other Cabinet departments because of their role in homeland security, such as the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]], the [[Federal Protective Service (United States)|Federal Protective Service]], [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] (which includes the [[United States Border Patrol]]), [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] (which includes Homeland Security Investigations), the [[United States Secret Service]], the [[Transportation Security Administration]] and the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]]. 

The current secretary of homeland security since January 25, 2025 is [[Kristi Noem]].

==List of secretaries of homeland security==
Prior to the establishment of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there existed an assistant to the president for the Office of Homeland Security, which was created following the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001.

;Parties
{{legend2|{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (7)
{{legend2|{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (4)
{{legend2|{{party color|Independent}}|[[Independent politician|Independent]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (5)

;Status
{{legend2|#E6E6AA|Denotes [[Acting (law)|acting]] homeland security secretary|border=black}}

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!colspan=2 rowspan=2 |{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!class=unsortable rowspan=2 |Portrait
!rowspan=2 |Name
!rowspan=2 |Senate vote
!colspan=3 |Term of office
!rowspan=2 |State of residence
!colspan=2 rowspan=2 |President
|-
!Took office
!Left office
!Duration
|-
|1
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Tom Ridge (cropped).jpg|frameless|126x126px|alt=Tom Ridge]]
|'''{{sortname|Tom|Ridge}}'''<br />{{small|(Born Aug 26, 1945)}}
|94–0
|January 24, 2003
|February 1, 2005
|{{ayd|2003|1|24|2005|2|1}}
|{{Flag|Pennsylvania}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|George W.|Bush}}<br>(2001–2009)
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
|–
|style="background: {{party color|Independent}};" |
|[[File:James M. Loy.jpg|frameless|131x131px|alt=James Loy]]
|'''{{sortname|James|Loy}}'''{{ref label|1|a|none}}<br />{{small|(Born Aug 10, 1942)<br />''Acting''}}
|–
|February 1, 2005
|February 15, 2005
|{{ayd|2005|2|1|2005|2|15}}
|{{Flag|Pennsylvania}}
|-
|2
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Michael Chertoff, official DHS photo portrait, 2007 (cropped).jpg|frameless|132x132px|alt=Michael Chertoff]]
|'''{{sortname|Michael|Chertoff}}'''<br />{{small|(Born Nov 28, 1953)}}
|98–0
|February 15, 2005
|January 21, 2009
|{{ayd|2005|2|15|2009|1|21}}
|{{Flag|New Jersey}}
|-
|3
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Janet Napolitano official portrait (cropped).jpg|frameless|139x139px|alt=Janet Napolitano]]
|'''{{sortname|Janet|Napolitano}}'''<br />{{small|(Born Nov 29, 1957)}}
|Voice vote
|January 21, 2009
|September 6, 2013
|{{ayd|2009|1|21|2013|9|6}}
|{{Flag|Arizona}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Barack|Obama}}<br>(2009–2017)
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
|–
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Rand Beers official portrait (cropped).jpg|frameless|142x142px|alt=Rand Beers]]
|'''{{sortname|Rand|Beers}}'''{{ref label|2|b|none}} <br />{{small|(Born Nov 30, 1942)<br />''Acting''}}
|–
|September 6, 2013
|December 23, 2013
|{{ayd|2013|9|6|2013|12|23}}
|{{Flag|District of Columbia}}
|-
|4
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Jeh Johnson official DHS portrait (cropped).jpg|frameless|132x132px|alt=Jeh Johnson]]
|'''{{sortname|Jeh|Johnson}}'''<br />{{small|(Born Sept 11, 1957)}}
|78–16
|December 23, 2013
|January 20, 2017
|{{ayd|2013|12|23|2017|1|20}}
|{{Flag|New Jersey}}
|-
|5
|style="background: {{party color|Independent}};" |
|[[File:John Kelly official DHS portrait (cropped).jpg|frameless|128x128px|alt=John F. Kelly]]
|'''{{sortname|John F.|Kelly}}'''<br />{{small|(Born May 11, 1950)}}
|88–11
|January 20, 2017
|July 31, 2017
|{{ayd|2017|1|20|2017|7|31}}
|{{Flag|Massachusetts}}
|rowspan=6 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=6 |{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2017–2021)
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
|–
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Elaine Duke official photo (cropped).jpg|frameless|128x128px|alt=Elaine Duke]]
|'''{{sortname|Elaine|Duke}}'''{{ref label|3|c|none}} <br />{{small|(Born June 26, 1958)<br />''Acting''}}
|–
|July 31, 2017
|December 6, 2017
|{{ayd|2017|7|31|2017|12|6}}
|{{Flag|Ohio}}
|-
|6
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Kirstjen Nielsen official photo (cropped).jpg|frameless|140x140px|alt=Kirstjen Nielsen]]
|'''{{sortname|Kirstjen|Nielsen}}'''<br />{{small|(Born May 14, 1972)}}
|62–37
|December 6, 2017
|April 10, 2019
|{{ayd|2017|12|6|2019|4|10}}
|{{Flag|Florida}}
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
|–
|style="background: {{party color|Independent}};" |
|[[File:Kevin McAleenan official photo (cropped).jpg|frameless|146x146px|alt=Kevin McAleenan]]
|'''{{sortname|Kevin|McAleenan}}'''{{ref label|4|d|none}} <br />{{small|(Born Sept 5, 1971)<br />''Acting; [[2019–2021 Department of Homeland Security appointment disputes|unlawful tenure]]''}}
|–
|April 10, 2019
|November 13, 2019
|{{ayd|2019|4|10|2019|11|13}}
|{{Flag|Hawaii}}
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
|–
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Chad Wolf official portrait 2017 (cropped).jpg|frameless|135x135px|alt=Chad Wolf]]
|'''{{sortname|Chad|Wolf}}'''{{ref label|5|e|none}} <br />{{small|(Born June 21, 1976)<br />''Acting; [[2019–2021 Department of Homeland Security appointment disputes|unlawful tenure]]''}}
|–
|November 13, 2019
|January 11, 2021
|{{ayd|2019|11|13|2021|1|11}}
|{{Flag|Virginia}}
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
|–
|style="background: {{party color|Independent}};" |
|[[File:Peter Gaynor official photo (cropped).jpg|frameless|135x135px|alt=Pete Gaynor]]
|'''{{sortname|Pete|Gaynor}}'''{{ref label|6|f|none}}<br />{{small|(Born 1968)<br />''Acting''}}
|–
|January 11, 2021
|January 20, 2021
|{{ayd|2021|1|11|2021|1|20}}
|{{Flag|Rhode Island}}
|-
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |–
|style="background: {{party color|Independent}};" |
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |[[File:David Pekoske official TSA portrait (cropped).jpg|frameless|135x135px|alt=David Pekoske]]
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |'''{{sortname|David|Pekoske}}'''{{ref label|7|g|none}}<br />{{small|(Born May 5, 1955)<br />''Acting''}}
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |–
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |January 20, 2021
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |February 2, 2021
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |{{ayd|2021|1|20|2021|2|2}}
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |{{Flag|Connecticut}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Joe|Biden}}<br>(2021–2025)
|-
|7
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Secretary Mayorkas Official Photo (cropped).jpg|alt=Alejandro Mayorkas|frameless|128x128px]]
|'''{{sortname|Alejandro|Mayorkas}}'''<br />{{small|(Born Nov 24, 1959)}}
|56–43
|February 2, 2021
|January 20, 2025
|{{ayd|2021|2|2|2025|1|20}}
|{{Flag|District of Columbia}}
|-
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |–
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |[[File:BenjamineHuffman.png|128x128px]]
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |'''{{sortname|Benjamine|Huffman}}'''{{ref label|8|h|none}}<br />{{small|''Acting''}}
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |–
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |January 20, 2025
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |January 25, 2025
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |{{ayd|2025|1|20|2025|1|25}}
|style="background:#e6e6aa;" |{{Flag|Texas}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 | {{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2025–present)
|-
|8
| style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|[[File:Official Portrait of Secretary Kristi Noem (cropped).jpg|131x131px]]
|'''{{sortname|Kristi|Noem}}'''<br />{{small|(Born Nov 30, 1971)}}
|59–34
|January 25, 2025
|''Incumbent''
|{{ayd|2025|1|25|||}}
|{{Flag|South Dakota}}
|}

a. {{note label|1|a|none}} James Loy served as acting secretary in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security|Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security]].

b. {{note label|2|b|none}} Rand Beers served as acting secretary in his capacity as [[advice and consent|confirmed]] [[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for National Protection and Programs|Undersecretary of Homeland Security for National Protection and Programs]] and Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security; Beers was the highest ranking [[List of positions filled by presidential appointment with Senate confirmation#Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Senate-approved presidential appointee at the Department of Homeland Security]].

c. {{note label|3|c|none}} Elaine Duke served as acting secretary in her capacity as [[United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security|Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security]].

d. {{note label|4|d|none}} Kevin McAleenan served as acting secretary in his capacity as Commissioner of [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection|Customs and Border Protection]]. His tenure was [[2019–2021 Department of Homeland Security appointment disputes|ruled unlawful]].

e. {{note label|5|e|none}} Chad Wolf served as acting secretary in his capacity as [[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans]]. His tenure was [[2019–2021 Department of Homeland Security appointment disputes|ruled unlawful]].

f. {{note label|6|f|none}} Peter Gaynor served as acting secretary in his capacity as [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] Administrator.

g. {{note label|7|g|none}} David Pekoske served as acting secretary in his capacity as Administrator of the [[Transportation Security Administration]]

h. {{note label|8|h|none}}  Benjamine Huffman served as acting secretary in his capacity as Director of the [[Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers]].

==Order of succession==
While appointment of acting officials is generally governed by the [[Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998]] (FVRA), the [[Homeland Security Act|Homeland Security Act of 2002]] creates exceptions to FVRA, mandating that the [[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management|under secretary of homeland security for management]] is third in the line of succession for Secretary of Homeland Security,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2019/4/8/18299762/kevin-mcaleenan-claire-grady-acting-dhs-secretary|title=Trump's possibly illegal designation of a new acting homeland security secretary, explained|last=Yglesias|first=Matthew|date=2019-04-08|website=Vox|access-date=2019-04-09}}</ref> and establishes an alternate process by which the secretary can directly establish a line of succession outside the provisions of the FVRA.<ref name=":8"/>

As of November 8, 2019, the order of succession is as follows.<ref name=":0" />  However, the [[2019–2021 Department of Homeland Security appointment disputes|legality of this update was challenged]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/702570/inside-trumps-gambit-to-install-another-acting-dhs-secretary|title=Inside Trump's Gambit To Install Another Acting DHS Secretary|last1=Cramer|first1=Harrison|last2=Cohen|first2=Zach C.|date=2019-11-11|website=National Journal|access-date=2019-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2019/11/top-democrats-call-emergency-review-dhs-appointments/161339/|title=Top Democrats Call for Emergency Review of DHS Appointments|last=Bublé|first=Courtney|date=2019-11-15|website=Government Executive|language=en|access-date=2019-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/legality-wolf-cuccinelli-dhs-appointments-questioned|title=Legality of Wolf, Cuccinelli appointments to DHS questioned|last=Misra|first=Tanvi|date=2019-11-15|work=Roll Call|access-date=2019-11-15|language=en|archive-date=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115233959/https://www.rollcall.com/news/legality-wolf-cuccinelli-dhs-appointments-questioned|url-status=dead}}</ref>

# [[United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security|Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security]]
# [[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management|Under Secretary for Management]]
# Commissioner of the [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]]
# [[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans|Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans]]
# Administrator and Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration
# Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Formerly, an April 10, 2019 update to the DHS Orders of Succession, made pursuant to the [[Homeland Security Act|Homeland Security Act of 2002]], provided a different order in the case of unavailability to act during a disaster or catastrophic emergency:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/191115%20T%20Dodaro%20re%20Letter%20to%20GAO%20on%20Wolf-Cuccinelli%20Appointment.pdf|title=Letter from House Committee on Homeland Security to U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro|date=2019-11-15|website=U.S. House of Representatives|access-date=2019-11-15|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821131952/https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/191115%20T%20Dodaro%20re%20Letter%20to%20GAO%20on%20Wolf-Cuccinelli%20Appointment.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

# Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security 
# Under Secretary for Management 
# Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
# Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
# Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency 
# Under Secretary for Science and Technology 
# Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis 
# Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration 
# Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
# Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
# Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans 
# General Counsel 
# Deputy Under Secretary for Management
# Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
# Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration 
# Deputy Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
# Deputy Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 
# Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers

As a result of Executive Order 13753 in 2016, the order of succession for the secretary of homeland security was as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/12/09/executive-order-amending-order-succession-department-homeland-security|title=Executive Order – Amending the Order of Succession in the Department of Homeland Security|date=2016-12-09|website=whitehouse.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref>

# Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
# Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Management
# Administrator of the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]]
#[[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for National Protection and Programs]]
#[[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology]]
#[[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Intelligence and Analysis|Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis]]
#Commissioner of [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]]
#Administrator of the [[Transportation Security Administration]]
#Director of [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]]
#Director of [[U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services]]
#[[Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans|Assistant Secretary for Policy]]
#General Counsel of the [[Department of Homeland Security]]
#Deputy Under Secretary for Management
#Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
#Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
#Deputy Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
#Deputy Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
#Director of the [[Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers|Federal Law Enforcement Training Center]]

==Administration-cited potential nominees==
===Bernard Kerik===
[[George W. Bush]] nominated [[Bernard Kerik]] for the position in 2004. However a week later, Kerik withdrew his nomination, explaining that he had employed an illegal immigrant as a nanny.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bernstein|first1=Nina|title=Mystery Woman in Kerik Case: Nanny|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/16/us/mystery-woman-in-kerik-case-nanny.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|date=December 16, 2004 |access-date=October 29, 2015}}</ref>

===Raymond Kelly===
By July 2013, [[Raymond Kelly]] had served as [[New York City Police Commissioner|Commissioner]] of the [[New York City Police Department]] (NYPD) for nearly 12 straight years. Within days of Homeland Security secretary [[Janet Napolitano]]'s announcement that she was resigning, Kelly was soon cited as an obvious potential successor by New York senator [[Charles Schumer]] and others.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/janet-napolitano-replacements-94094.html?ml=po_r "Names already popping as possible Janet Napolitano replacements"], by Kevin Robillard and Scott Wong, ''Politico'', July 12, 2013, retrieved July 13, 2013.</ref>

<!--Kelly's proponents noted that, in addition to supervising one of the largest [[law enforcement]] organizations in the world (with nearly 50,000 uniformed and civilian personnel in the NYPD), Kelly has [[Presidency of Bill Clinton|Clinton administration]] experience overseeing federal agencies as a [[List of positions filled by presidential appointment with Senate confirmation|Senate-confirmed presidential appointee]], including as Commissioner of the [[United States Customs Service|U.S. Customs Service]] and as the "[[Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (Under Secretary for Enforcement)]]", a position which at the time oversaw the Customs Service, the [[United States Secret Service|U.S. Secret Service]], and the [[Federal Law Enforcement Training Center]] in [[Glencoe, Georgia]]; all are now part of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department of Homeland Security]] since 2002.
-->
During a July 16, 2013, interview, President Obama referred generally to the "bunch of strong candidates" for nomination to head the [[Department of Homeland Security]], but singled out Kelly as "one of the best there is" and "very well qualified for the job".<ref>[https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico44/2013/07/obama-would-consider-ray-kelly-to-replace-janet-napolitano-168507.html "Obama would consider Ray Kelly to replace Janet Napolitano"], by Jennifer Epstein, ''Politico'', July 16, 2013, retrieved July 17, 2013.</ref>

Later in July 2013, the online internet news website/magazine ''[[Huffington Post]]'' detailed "a growing campaign to quash the potential nomination of New York City Police commissioner Raymond Kelly as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security" amid claims of "divisive, harmful, and ineffective policing that promotes stereotypes and profiling".<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/01/muslims-oppose-raymond-kelly-homeland-security_n_3691876.html "Muslims Oppose Raymond Kelly Bid For Homeland Security Secretary"], by Omar Sacirbey, ''Huffington Post'', August 1, 2013, retrieved August 4, 2013.</ref> Days after that article, Kelly penned a statistics-heavy ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' [[opinion article]] defending the NYPD's programs, stating "the average number of stops we conduct is less than one per officer per week" and that this and other practices have led to "7,383 lives saved—and... they are largely the lives of young men of color."<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324448104578616333588719320 "Ray Kelly: The NYPD: Guilty of Saving 7,383 Lives"], by Ray Kelly, ''Opinion: The Wall Street Journal'', July 22, 2013, retrieved August 4, 2013.</ref>

Kelly was also featured because of his NYPD retirement and unusually long tenure there in a long segment on the [[CBS News]] program ''[[CBS News Sunday Morning|Sunday Morning]]'' in December 2013, especially raising the question of the controversial "stop and frisk" policy in [[New York City]] and the long decline and drop of various types of crimes committed.

== Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security ==

=== Purpose ===
The Office of the Secretary (OS) oversees the execution of the duties of the Department of Homeland Security.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Office of the Secretary {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-secretary |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref> Certain elements also aid the Secretary of Homeland Security and senior officials of the Department of Homeland Security, as well as private sector and government partners in their duties.

=== Composition ===
The Office of the Secretary contains several offices and other elements of the DHS.<ref name=":1" /> Most of the heads of these elements report directly to the Secretary or Deputy Secretary, but the Military Advisor and Executive Secretary report to the '''DHS Chief of Staff''', a position that is currently vacant since January 2025.

While DHS Secretary [[Kristi Noem]] was participating in an immigration raid on April 8, 2025, she was accompanied by former Trump campaign manager and senior adviser [[Corey Lewandowski]], who introduced himself to the federal agents as “chief of staff.” DHS later clarified that he is an adviser to DHS and a special government employee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taer |first1=Jennie |last2=Nesi |first2=Chris |title=Kristi Noem dodges kicks from migrant suspect as she leads ICE deportation raids in Phoenix |url=https://nypost.com/2025/04/08/us-news/kristi-noem-dodges-kicks-from-migrant-suspect-as-she-leads-ice-deportation-raids-in-phoenix/ |access-date=9 April 2025 |date=April 8, 2025}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
|+Components of the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security
!Component
!Mission
!Executives
!Subordinate Components
|-
|'''Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-civil-rights-and-civil-liberties |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Supports the Department's mission to secure the nation while preserving individual liberty, fairness, and equality under the law. 
* Builds in civil rights and civil liberties practices into all of the Department’s activities.
|
* '''Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties''': [[Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia]]
** Deputy Officer for Programs & Compliance: [https://www.dhs.gov/person/peter-mina Peter Mina]
** Deputy Officer for EEO and Diversity: [https://www.dhs.gov/person/veronica-venture Veronica Venture]
|
* '''Programs and Compliance Division'''
* '''Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Division'''
* '''Office for Accessible Systems and Technology''' (jointly run with DHS Office of the Chief Information Officer)

|-
|'''Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CISOMB)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/topics/cis-ombudsman |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Serves as a liaison between the public and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
* Helps individuals and employers resolve issues they are having with USCIS.
* Holds engagements to hear from the public about their experiences with USCIS.
* Identifies issues in the immigration system and make recommendations to USCIS on how to address these problems.
|
* '''CIS Ombudsman''': [https://www.dhs.gov/person/nathan-stiefel Nathan Stiefel] (acting)
** Deputy Ombudsman: Nathan Stiefel
|
* '''Policy Division'''
* '''Public Engagement Division'''
* '''Casework Division'''
* '''Operations Division'''
* '''Strategy Division'''
|-
|'''Climate Change Action Group'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate Change Action Group {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/climate-change-action-group |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Drives urgent action to address the climate crisis.
* Analyzes, on an ongoing basis, the impacts of climate change on DHS missions, assets, and personnel.
* Adapts DHS operations, assets, and missions to account for the climate crisis via risk- based strategies.
* Coordinates DHS-wide sustainability operations to mitigate additional harm.
* Recommends specific, concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
* Recommends specific, concrete steps to promote resilience and adaptation to reduce the multiple risks posed by the climate crisis.
* Recommends organizational and resource realignments as necessary to support the Department’s activities to address the climate crisis.
|
* '''Co-Chairs''': [[Cass Sunstein]] & [[Robert P. Silvers]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=greenecodemocratcom |date=2023-08-30 |title=DHS Climate Change Action Group (CCAG) |url=https://greenecodemocrat.com/tag/dhs-climate-change-action-group-ccag/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Greene County Democrat |language=en-US}}</ref>
|
|-
|'''Office of the Executive Secretary (ESEC)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the Executive Secretary {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-executive-secretary |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Provides all manner of direct support to the Secretary of Homeland Security and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, as well as related support to leadership and management across the DHS.
* Accurate and timely dissemination of information and written communications.
|
* '''Executive Secretary''': [https://www.dhs.gov/person/kimberly-oconnor Kimberly O'Connor]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leadership {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/leadership |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
|-
|'''Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-immigration-detention-ombudsman |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Assists individuals with complaints about the potential violation of immigration detention standards or other misconduct by DHS (or contract) personnel.
* Provides oversight of immigration detention facilities.
|
* '''ID Ombudsman''': [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-gersten-a608972b David Gersten] (acting)
** ID Deputy Ombudsman: N/A
|
* '''Case Management Division'''
* '''Detention Oversight Division'''
* '''Policy and Standards Division'''
* '''External Relations Division'''
* '''Operations and Resource Management Division'''
* '''Program Integration Division'''
|-
|'''Family Reunification Task Force'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Family Reunification Task Force {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/family-reunification-task-force |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Committed to the safe reunification of families that were unjustly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border.
|
* '''Chair''': [[Alejandro Mayorkas]]
** Executive Director: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-brane-4775037 Michelle Brané]
|Includes the secretaries of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and State, as well as the Attorney General. It also includes several other officials from the DHS, DOJ, HHS, and State Department.
|-
|'''Office of the General Counsel (OGC)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the General Counsel {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-general-counsel |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Provides complete, accurate, and timely legal advice on possible courses of action for the DHS.
* Ensures that homeland security policies are implemented lawfully, quickly, and efficiently.
* Protects the rights and liberties of any Americans who come in contact with the Department of Homeland Security.
* Facilitates quick responses to congressional requests for information.
* Represents the department in venues across the country, including in U.S. immigration courts.
* The OGC accomplishes these tasks with over 3,000 attorneys.
|
* '''General Counsel''': [[Jonathan Meyer]]
** Deputy General Counsel: [https://www.dhs.gov/person/joseph-b-maher Joseph B. Maher]
** CBP Chief Counsel: [[Frederick B. Smith]]
** CISA Chief Counsel: [https://www.cisa.gov/about/leadership/spencer-fisher Spencer Fisher]
** USCIS Chief Counsel: [https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership/a-ashley-tabaddor-chief-counsel-office-of-chief-counsel A. Ashley Tabaddor]
** USCG Judge Advocate General: [[Melissa Bert]]
** FEMA Chief Counsel: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200807220604/https://www.fema.gov/profile/adrian-sevier Adrian Sevier]
** FLETC Chief Counsel: [[Trisha Besselman]] (acting)
** ICE Principal Legal Advisor: [https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/bios/kerryDoyle.pdf Kerry Doyle]
** USSS Chief Counsel: [[Thomas F. Huse]]
** TSA Chief Counsel: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francine-kerner-455066a Francine Kerner]
|
* '''Ethics & Compliance Law Division'''
* '''General Law Division'''
* '''Immigration Law Division'''
* '''Intelligence Law Division'''
* '''Legal Counsel Division'''
* '''Operations and Enforcement Law Division'''
* '''Regulatory Affairs Law Division'''
* '''Technology Programs Law Division'''
|-
|'''Joint Requirements Council (JRC)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joint Requirements Council {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/joint-requirements-council |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Validates capability gaps. 
* Associated with operational requirements and proposed solution approaches to mitigate those gaps through the Joint Requirements Integration and Management System (JRIMS).
* Leverages opportunities for commonality to enhance operational effectiveness directly and better inform the DHS’ main investment pillars.
|
* '''Executive Director''': [https://www.dhs.gov/person/joseph-d-wawro Joseph D. Wawro]
|The JRC consists of the Principals Council – the operational Components (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), I&A, Management, CIO, Policy, and S&T.
|-
|'''Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of Legislative Affairs {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/about-office-legislative-affairs |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Serves as primary liaison to members of Congress and their staffs, the White House and Executive Branch, and to other federal agencies and governmental entities that have roles in assuring national security
|
* '''Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs''': [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zephranie-buetow-07a98023b? Zephranie Buetow]
** Deputy Assistant Secretary (Senate): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryn-mcdonough-5933476a Bryn McDonough]
** Deputy Assistant Secretary (House of Representatives): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ams-carnes? Alexandra Carnes]
|Each area of responsibility is managed by a director. There's a DAS for the U.S. Senate, a DAS for the U.S. House of Representatives, and a Chief of Staff.

* Headquarters
* Operational Component Coordination
* Intelligence, Cyber, and Operations
* Oversight and Investigations
* Executive Secretary and Mission Support
|-
|'''Office of the Military Advisor'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the Military Advisor {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/about-office-military-advisor |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Provides counsel and support to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary in affairs relating to policy, procedures, preparedness activities, and operations between DHS and the U.S. Department of Defense.
|
* '''Military Advisor to the Secretary''': [https://www.dhs.gov/person/rear-admiral-michael-platt Rear Admiral Michael Platt]
|
|-
|'''Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Partnership and Engagement {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/partnership-engagement |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Coordinates the Department of Homeland Security’s outreach efforts with key stakeholders nationwide.
* Ensures a unified approach to external engagement amongst the DHS.
|
* '''Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement''': [https://www.dhs.gov/person/brenda-abdelall Brenda F. Abdelall]
** Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-kagan-sternhell-66675b3 Rebecca Sternhell]
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs: [https://www.linkedin.com › miriam-enriquez-26176910b Miriam Enriquez]
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Private Sector Office: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyonsjamie Jamie Lawrence]
|
* '''Office of Intergovernmental Affairs'''
** State and Local Affairs
** Tribal Government Affairs
* '''Private Sector Office'''
* '''Office of Academic Engagement'''
* '''Faith-Based Security Advisory Council'''
* '''Committee Management Office'''
* '''Homeland Security Advisory Council'''
* '''Office of Social Impact and Campaigns'''
* '''Director, Non-Governmental Organizations'''
|-
|'''Privacy Office'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Privacy Office {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/privacy-office |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Protects individuals by embedding and enforcing privacy protections and transparency in all DHS activities.
|
* '''Chief Privacy Officer''': [https://www.dhs.gov/person/mason-c-clutter Mason C. Clutter] (concurrently serves as the DHS Chief Freedom of Information Officer)
|
* '''Senior Policy Advisor and Executive Director, Strategy and Integration'''
* '''Deputy Chief FOIA Officer'''
** Senior Director, FOIA Operations and Management
*** Director of Disclosure
** Senior Director, Litigation, Appeals, and Policy
*** Director, Policy, Oversight, Compliance
* '''Deputy Chief Privacy Officer'''
** Senior Director, Privacy Compliance
*** Director, Privacy Compliance
** Senior Director, Privacy Policy and Oversight
*** Director, Privacy Policy
*** Director, Privacy Incidents
*** Director, Privacy Oversight
* '''Chief of Staff'''
** Director, Business Operations
** Director, Communications & Training
|-
|'''Office of Public Affairs (OPA)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of Public Affairs {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-public-affairs |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Coordinates the public affairs activities of all of the components and offices of the DHS.
* Serves as the federal government’s lead public information office during a national emergency or disaster.
|
* '''Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs''': [https://www.dhs.gov/person/daniel-watson Daniel Watson]
** Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications: [https://www.dhs.gov/person/luis-miranda Luis Miranda]
** Deputy Assistant Secretary for Media Relations: [https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/126617/Sarah_Rothschild_Schakow.html Sarah Schakow]
** Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsolnet Jeff Solnet]
|
* '''DHS Press Office'''
* '''Incident and Strategic Communications'''
* '''Multimedia'''
* '''Speechwriting'''
* '''Web Communications'''
* '''Internal Communications'''
|-
|'''Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (OSP&P)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-strategy-policy-plans |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Serves as a central resource to the Secretary and other department leaders for strategic planning and analysis, and facilitation of decision-making on the full breadth of issues that may arise across the dynamic homeland security enterprise
|
* '''Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans''': [[Robert P. Silvers|Robert Silvers]]
** Deputy Under Secretary: [https://www.dhs.gov/person/kelli-ann-burriesci Kelli Ann Burriesci]
|
* '''Chief of Staff'''
* '''Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy'''
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Border and Immigration
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Immigration Statistics
* '''Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention'''
** Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Screening and Vetting
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Law Enforcement
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Countering Transnational Organized Crime
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention
* '''Assistant Secretary for International Affairs'''
** Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Affairs
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere
* '''Assistant Secretary for Trade and Economic Security'''
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Trade Policy
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Economic Security
* '''Assistant Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience'''
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Cyber Policy
** Deputy Assistant Secretary, Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience
* '''Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Integration and Policy Planning'''
|-
|'''Office for State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Office for State and Local Law Enforcement {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-state-and-local-law-enforcement |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.dhs.gov}}</ref>
|
* Provides DHS with primary coordination, liaison, and advocacy for state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus (SLTTC) law enforcement.
|
* '''Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement''': [[Heather Fong]]
** Deputy Assistant Secretary: N/A
|
|}

==See also==
* [[Interior minister]]
* [[List of current interior ministers]]

==References==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Doug Collins (politician)|Doug Collins]]|as=[[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Secretary of Homeland Security}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Susie Wiles]]|as=[[White House Chief of Staff]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|us-pres}}
{{s-bef|before=[[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]<br>{{small|Doug Collins}}}}
{{s-ttl|title=18th in line}}
{{s-non|reason=Last}}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes
|list =
{{USSecHS}}
{{DHS agencies}}
{{US military navbox}}
{{US Cabinet leaders}}
{{US presidential line of succession}}
}}

[[Category:Lists of members of the Cabinet of the United States|Homeland Security]]
[[Category:Interior ministers]]
[[Category:Cabinet of the United States|Homeland Security]]
[[Category:United States secretaries of homeland security| ]]