Former DHS Chiefs Call for Agency Overhaul After Political ‘Radioactive’ Stigma
Ex-DHS leaders urge reset as agency faces backlash over mass deportations and political polarization.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Two former leaders of the Department of Homeland Security have called for a major overhaul of the agency, citing its tarnished reputation under the Trump administration and growing public distrust.
Jeh Johnson, who served as homeland security secretary during the Obama administration, said the agency has become seen as a “pariah” and “radioactive” in many communities. He argued that the focus on mass deportations has overshadowed other critical missions like counterterrorism and disaster response.
Michael Chertoff, who led the department during the Bush administration, echoed these concerns, stating that immigration enforcement should prioritize individuals posing real security threats rather than targeting low-risk migrants. Both officials have urged a reorganization to streamline the agency’s focus and transfer non-security functions to other government branches.
The Trump-era approach to immigration enforcement faced widespread criticism, with legal challenges and protests in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. A recent poll found that about half of Americans support abolishing ICE, a key DHS component.
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DHS has also faced scrutiny over its handling of domestic threats, with rising incidents of political violence and attacks on politicians from both parties. The agency has since shifted away from large-scale immigration operations but continues to report record arrest numbers.
A spokesperson for DHS defended the agency’s mission, emphasizing its role in counterterrorism and border security. They criticized the Biden administration’s immigration policies and accused the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of political bias.
Despite the controversies, the agency has received record funding under the Trump administration and claims it remains well-equipped to address evolving threats. However, critics argue that past administrations, including Obama’s, also faced criticism for their own approaches to homeland security and immigration.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
