2014 Homeland Security Secretary

Jeh Johnson Sworn in as Fourth Secretary of Homeland Security

Release Date: 

December 23, 2013

For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010

WASHINGTON— Today, Jeh Charles Johnson was officially sworn in as the fourth Secretary of Homeland Security. Secretary Johnson, joined by his family, took the oath this evening at his home in Montclair, New Jersey. As Secretary of Homeland Security, Johnson now oversees the third largest Federal department in the United States and leads the 240,000 dedicated men and women working tirelessly to implement the Department’s important homeland security mission. Secretary Johnson is in close coordination with senior leadership of the Department, including Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas – who was also sworn in on Monday.

“I am honored to assume the important responsibilities of this office,” said Secretary Johnson.  “The men and women of the Department of Homeland Security deserve strong leadership and I look forward to supporting them every day as we work together to make our communities and our nation safer, more secure, and more resilient.”

Prior to joining DHS, Secretary Johnson served as General Counsel for the Department of Defense, where he was part of the senior management team and led the more than 10,000 military and civilian lawyers across the Department. Secretary Johnson’s career has included extensive service in national security, law enforcement, and as an attorney in private corporate law practice.  Secretary Johnson was General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force in 1998 to 2001, and he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York in 1989 to 1991.