Fedline » Michael Chertoff

Chertoff speaks to…the Onion?

Steve Losey — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:09:00 +0000

We at Federal Times had an enlightening editorial board meeting at our offices earlier this month with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, which resulted in several interesting stories. But the crack staff at the Onion appears to have scooped us on the real story:

How did we miss this story?

Chertoff, in his own words

Gregg Carlstrom — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:06:51 +0000

Our lead story this week is from an interview with Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff, who talks about reorganizing the department, lessons learned from the Mumbai attacks, and the top challenges facing his likely successor, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano.

We’ve posted a few video excerpts from the interview â€” here’s Chertoff on reorganizing DHS:

You can view more clips of the interview â€” which also included Coast Guard commandant Adm. Thad Allen â€” right here.

Chertoff weighs in on priorities at DHS

Gregg Carlstrom — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:00:22 +0000

Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff sat down with reporters from Federal Times this morning to share his thoughts on the transition, the department’s big programs, and its progress over the last six years.

Chertoff gave high marks to the Obama administration’s secretary-designate, Janet Napolitano; he’s known Napolitano for more than a decade, and praised her management style. He also outlined what he saw as the most immediate priorities for the department under the new administration:

Finish implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires all travelers to show a passport when entering the United States, even citizens returning from countries like Canada and Mexico; WHTI was a recommendation of the 9/11 commission,
Creating a 2010 budget for the department,
Researching and deploying the next generation of nuclear and biological weapons detectors.

Hopefully we’ll have video of the interview to post later today â€” check back this afternoon!