New Head of DHS

For John, BLUF:  Is Ed Davis keeping up his Wikipedia page?  Does he really still live in Lowell?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From Politico we have this item on the new HHS Secretary nominee.  The reporter is Ms Kate Brannen, with support from Jonathan Topaz, Philip Ewing and Austin Wright.

TOP TALKER:  JEH JOHNSON IS OBAMA'S PICK FOR DHS, via POLITICO's Jennifer Epstein:  Later today, President Barack Obama will announce his decision to nominate the former Pentagon general counsel, Jeh Johnson, to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Johnson's confirmation hearing will provide senators the opportunity to voice their opposition toward some of the Obama administration's signature - and most controversial-- policies.  While at the Pentagon, Johnson was responsible for the prior legal review and approval of every military operation, including drone strikes, ordered by the president.  Detainee legislation, a constant sticking point in the defense authorization bill, was also a top issue for him.  And Johnson was integral to the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for gays in the military.

In 2008, Johnson raised money for Obama's presidential campaign and served on his transition team.  This 2007 New York Times article profiles Johnson, the fundraiser. To understand Johnson's views on the administration's counterrorism policies, two speeches are worth revisiting:  "A 'Drone Court': Some Pros and Cons" in March at Fordham Law School and "The Conflict Against Al Qaeda and its Affiliates: How Will It End?" in November 2012 at the Oxford Union.

Since leaving the Pentagon in December, Johnson, a former federal prosecutor, returned to private practice at the law firm Paul Weiss.

To think, they could have had Professor Ed Davis.

Regards  —  Cliff