Obama to tap ex-federal prosecutor Jeh Johnson to lead Homeland Security
The former Manhattan federal prosecutor has been described by a senior administration official as ‘one of the most highly qualified and respected national security leaders.’ New York lawmakers had advocated for NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly to be nominated.
Comments (4)By Joseph Straw / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Thursday, October 17, 2013, 5:43 PM
Updated: Thursday, October 17, 2013, 5:51 PM
Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
Jeh Johnson, 56, is expected to be formally nominated Friday afternoon.
WASHINGTON — President Obama will tap former top Pentagon lawyer and ex-Manhattan federal prosecutor Jeh Johnson to helm the Department of Homeland Security, sources said Thursday.
A senior administration official confirmed Obama’s pick and described the Columbia Law School grad, 56, as “one of the most highly qualified and respected national security leaders.”
The White House further described Johnson, whose birthday falls on Sept. 11, as “a critical member of the President’s counterterrorism team.”
RELATED: VEEP GIVES RAY KELLY A 'BUMP' FOR FED JOB
Former DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that she was stepping down in July, setting off vocal lobbying by New York lawmakers for Obama to nominate NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.
And the top cop, expected to leave his current post after the end of Mayor Bloomberg’s final term, was reportedly interested in the job.
Observers, however, noted that the NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk program, now the subject of federal monitoring, and the agency’s surveillance of Muslim communites could handicap his bid to lead DHS.
Obama is scheduled to formally announce his nomination of Johnson, whose first name is pronounced “Jay,” Friday afternoon at the White House.
A senior administration official confirmed Obama’s pick and described the Columbia Law School grad, 56, as “one of the most highly qualified and respected national security leaders.”
The White House further described Johnson, whose birthday falls on Sept. 11, as “a critical member of the President’s counterterrorism team.”
Former DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that she was stepping down in July, setting off vocal lobbying by New York lawmakers for Obama to nominate NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.
And the top cop, expected to leave his current post after the end of Mayor Bloomberg’s final term, was reportedly interested in the job.
Observers, however, noted that the NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk program, now the subject of federal monitoring, and the agency’s surveillance of Muslim communites could handicap his bid to lead DHS.
Obama is scheduled to formally announce his nomination of Johnson, whose first name is pronounced “Jay,” Friday afternoon at the White House.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/obama-tap-ex-federal-prosecutor-jeh-johnson-lead-homeland-security-article-1.1489078#ixzz2i1iexEu4
No comments:
Post a Comment