John F. Kelly Sworn In As Fifth Secretary of Homeland Security
On Friday, retired Marine Corps General John F. Kelly was officially sworn in as the fifth Secretary of Homeland Security. Secretary Kelly took the oath this evening after the Senate voted to confirm him. As Secretary of Homeland Security, Kelly now leads the third largest federal department in the United States that includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the United States Secret Service.
“I am honored and humbled to take on this responsibility to serve alongside the magnificent men and women of the Department of Homeland Security,” said Secretary Kelly, “and, I look forward to protecting our nation, its citizens, and preserving our liberty and upholding the rule of law as I continue my service to this great country. I ask for your patience and prayers as I take on this tremendous task together with you, and my only plea is that together we focus our loyalty on the Constitution that we all have sworn to preserve and protect and the nation we love.”
Prior to joining DHS, Secretary Kelly served in the United States Marine Corps for 45 years closing his career as the commander of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) in 2016. Secretary Kelly has held senior command positions in Iraq and as the Senior Military Assistant to two Secretaries of Defense.
The Senate confirmed the appointment of Kelly as DHS head.
Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate committee, announced this week she would vote against him. She issued a statement on the nomination on Thursday:
“I strongly support a robust Department of Homeland Security and its mission of keeping the nation safe. I also strongly support the use of prosecutorial discretion to prevent the deportation of young people who were brought to this country as children.
“The United States was founded by immigrants, and no state has benefited more from the ingenuity and love of our country that immigrants bring than California. However, after careful analysis and review of his testimony following our meetings both in public and in private, an examination of his record, and based on my experience in law enforcement, I have determined that I cannot support the nomination of General John Kelly as the next Secretary of Homeland Security.
“While I applaud General Kelly’s acknowledgement of Russia’s interference in our last election and his commitment to not pursue President-elect Trump’s Muslim registry, General Kelly’s failure to provide assurances to DREAMers and their families who are living in fear, means I cannot support his nomination. These young people who only know America as their home are now making contributions serving in our military, at colleges and universities across our country, working in Fortune 100 companies, major institutions, and businesses both large and small. We made a promise and have an ethical and moral obligation to protect them.
“I thank General Kelly for his service to our country, and if he is confirmed, I will keep an open mind and hope we can work together moving forward on behalf of Californians and the country.”
KJ