The Future of U.S. Homeland Security

On September 5, the Brookings Institution hosted Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff for a discussion of America’s homeland security. With the upcoming anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Secretary Chertoff reflected upon the department’s progress to date while also outlining future challenges we may face over the next five years, with a particular focus on our nation’s critical infrastructure. In the fourth of five “mega-strategy” speeches Secretary Chertoff is delivering this year, he broadened the scope of the discussion with a forward-looking view of homeland security, and how best to address certain vulnerabilities as we advance into the twenty-first century.

Michael Chertoff was sworn in as the second Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on February 15, 2005. He formerly served as United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and was previously confirmed by the Senate to serve in the Bush Administration as Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice. As Assistant Attorney General, Chertoff helped trace the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the al-Qaida network, and worked to increase information sharing within the FBI and with state and local officials.

Brookings Senior Fellow Michael O’Hanlon provided introductory remarks.