Homeland Security Advisor

Last updated
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
US-WhiteHouse-Logo.svg
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall DHS photo.jpg
since January 20, 2021
Executive Office of the President
Homeland Security Council
Reports to President of the United States
White House Chief of Staff
United States National Security Advisor
Appointer President of the United States
Constituting instrumentHomeland Security Act 2002
Formation2001
First holder Tom Ridge
Deputy Joshua Geltzer

The Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, commonly referred to as the Homeland Security Advisor, is a senior aide in the National Security Council, based in the West Wing of the White House, who serves as principal advisor to the President of the United States on homeland security and counterterrorism issues.

Contents

The Homeland Security Advisor is also a statutory member of the United States Homeland Security Council. Serving at the pleasure of the President, the Homeland Security Advisor does not require Senate confirmation for appointment to the office.

History

In the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush announced the creation of the interim Office of Homeland Security as a cabinet-level office in a speech to a joint session of Congress. [1] He appointed Tom Ridge as its first director. The Homeland Security Council was formally created on October 5, 2001, replacing the Office of Homeland Security.

Under the George W. Bush administration, the Homeland Security Advisor was independent of the National Security Council, residing within the Homeland Security Council. Under the Obama administration, while the Homeland Security Council remained, the Advisor held the title of Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, subordinating the position to the National Security Advisor.

At the start of the Trump administration, the position of Homeland Security Advisor, occupied by Tom Bossert, was elevated to the rank of Assistant to the President, making it equal in rank to the National Security Advisor. However, after clashes with the National Security Advisor, John Bolton, the position returned to the rank of Deputy Assistant to the President and was subordinate to the National Security Advisor. [2]

List of homeland security advisors

   Democratic    Republican    Independent

ImageNameStartEndDurationPresident
Tom Ridge (cropped).jpg Tom Ridge October 8, 2001January 24, 20031 year, 126 days George W. Bush
(2001–2009)
John A Gordon (cropped).jpg John Gordon April 30, 2003July 28, 20041 year, 89 days
Frances Townsend.jpg Fran Townsend July 28, 2004March 30, 20083 years, 246 days
Ken Wainstein (cropped).jpg Ken Wainstein March 30, 2008January 20, 2009296 days
John Brennan CIA official portrait (cropped).jpg John Brennan January 20, 2009January 25, 20134 years, 5 days Barack Obama
(2009–2017)
Lisa Monaco --DOJ Portrait-- (cropped).jpg Lisa Monaco January 25, 2013January 20, 20173 years, 361 days
Tom Bossert official photo (cropped).jpg Tom Bossert January 20, 2017April 10, 20181 year, 49 days Donald Trump
(2017–2021)
Robert E. Joyce (cropped).jpg Rob Joyce
Acting
April 10, 2018May 31, 201851 days
Douglas M. Fears (4).jpg Doug Fears June 1, 2018July 12, 20191 year, 41 days
Peter J. Brown.jpg Peter Brown July 12, 2019February 7, 2020210 days
Julia Nesheiwat 2020 Portrait.jpg Julia Nesheiwat February 20, 2020January 20, 2021334 days
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall DHS photo.jpg Liz Sherwood-Randall January 20, 2021January 20, 20253 years, 333 days Joe Biden
(2021–2025)
Stephen Miller by Gage Skidmore.jpg Stephen Miller January 20, 2025Designate−33 days Donald Trump
(2025)

Titles

See also

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References

  1. "Text: President Bush Addresses the Nation". The Washington Post . September 20, 2001. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  2. Volz, Dustin (1 June 2018). "Donald Trump to Name Douglas Fears as White House Homeland Security Adviser". The Wall Street Journal . Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.