President-elect Donald J. Trump recently selected General John Kelly as his nomination for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
While serving as Commander of the U.S. Southern Command, Kelly oversaw U.S. military operations in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. Additionally, Kelly coordinated interagency efforts in the disruption of drug and human trafficking operations, counterterrorism, human rights, and the implementation of various strategies to secure the southern U.S. border.
“Gen. John Kelly’s decades of military service and deep commitment to fighting the threat of terrorism inside our borders makes him the ideal choice to serve as our Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,” Trump said. “He is the right person to spearhead the urgent mission of stopping illegal immigration and securing our borders, streamlining TSA and improving coordination between our intelligence and law enforcement agencies.”
Kelly enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970 and was discharged as a sergeant in 1972. Following his graduation from the University of Massachusetts in 1976, he was commissioned as an officer in the Marines. Since that time, Kelly has served in various positions, notably as the Commandant’s Liaison Officer to the U.S. House of Representatives, and to the entire U.S. Congress as a brigadier general.
“[Kelly] is a strong leader with in-depth knowledge about the most crucial homeland security issues facing the United States,” U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, said. “I am confident he will serve our country well as the next Secretary of Homeland Security. At a time when we face grave danger from terrorists to cyber criminals, it is imperative we have a steady, decisive Secretary at the helm.”