Bush nominates Chertoff for new Secretary of Homeland Security
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
U.S. President George W. Bush nominated Federal Judge Michael Chertoff as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing Secretary Tom Ridge who plans to step down Feb. 1.
Judge Chertoff has been approved by the Senate on three previous occasions and is currently a U.S. Appeals Court judge in Philadelphia. He is considered a "safe" candidate, likely to pass Senate scrutiny, a key characteristic after the White House's previous candidate, former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, withdrew after personal information was made public.
At the time of the September 11 attacks, Judge Chertoff was in the Justice Department and became involved as one of the architects of the Patriot act.
If confirmed Chertoff vowed his primary focus as Secretary to be, "promoting our homeland security and, as important, to preserving our fundamental liberties."
Sources
edit- "Bush nominates new homeland security chief" — Reuters, Wednesday, January 12, 2005. 8:14am (AEDT)
- Jim Malone. "Bush Homeland Security Nominee Known as Legal Architect of War on Terror" — Voice of America, 11-January-2005
- Madeleine Brand. "Profile of Homeland Security Nominee Michael Chertoff" — National Public Radio, January 11, 2005
- Kyodo News. "Bush picks Chertoff to be new homeland security chief" — Japan Today, Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 02:00 JST
- AP. "Bush Picks Ex-Prosecutor for Homeland Post" — ABC News (US), Jan 11, 2005