United States Secretary of Homeland Security
The United States secretary of homeland security is the head of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The position was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
| United States Secretary of Homeland Security | |
|---|---|
| 120px Seal of the Department of Homeland Security | |
| File:Flag of the United States Secretary of Homeland Security.svg Flag of the secretary | |
| Department of Homeland Security | |
| Style | Madam Secretary (informal) The Honorable (formal) |
| Member of | Cabinet Homeland Security Council National Security Council |
| Reports to | President of the United States |
| Seat | St. Elizabeths West Campus, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Appointer | The president with Senate advice and consent |
| Term length | No fixed term |
| Constituting instrument | 6 U.S.C. § 112 |
| Formation | January 24, 2003 |
| First holder | Tom Ridge |
| Succession | Eighteenth[1] |
| Deputy | Deputy Secretary |
| Salary | Executive Schedule, Level I |
| Website | dhs.gov |
The current secretary of homeland security is Kristi Noem, since 2025.
List of living former secretaries
As of September 2025, there are nine living former secretaries of education, the oldest being Tom Ridge, the first ever person to fill the position (served 2003-2005). This is the only cabinet position in which all former occupants of the position are still living.
- Tom Ridge 2019.jpg
Tom Ridge
(2003-2005) - Michael Chertoff, official portrait, Homeland Security Council.jpg
Michael Chertoff
(2005-2009) - Janet Napolitano by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
Janet Napolitano
(2009-2013) Jeh Johnson
(2013-2017)- John Kelly official DHS portrait (cropped).jpg
John F. Kelly
(2017) - Kirstjen Nielsen official photo (cropped).jpg
Kirstjen Nielsen
(2017-2019) - Kevin McAleenan official photo (cropped).jpg
Kevin McAleenan
(2019)
(De facto, disputed) - Secretary Mayorkas Official Photo (cropped).jpg
Alejandro Mayorkas
(2021-2025)
United States Secretary Of Homeland Security Media
- Tom Ridge (cropped).jpg
Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security.
- James M. Loy.jpg
Official portrait of James M. Loy
- Michael Chertoff, official DHS photo portrait, 2007 (cropped).jpg
Michael Chertoff, United States Secretary of Homeland Security.
Official portrait of United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
- Rand Beers official portrait (cropped).jpg
Official portrait of acting Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers.
- Elaine Duke official photo (cropped).jpg
Elaine Duke, Secretary of Homeland Security
References
- ↑ "3 U.S. Code § 19 – Vacancy in offices of both President and Vice President; officers eligible to act". LII / Legal Information Institute.