Lloyd Austin Confirmed as First Black Secretary of Defense
"It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as our country’s 28th Secretary of Defense, and I’m especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position," Austin tweeted. "Let’s get to work." Keep Reading
Coronavirus
Fauci Explains How Mutant COVID Strains Affect Transmission, Vaccines
The concern over new strains gives "all the more reason why we should be vaccinating as many people as you possibly can because as long as the virus is out there, replicating viruses don't mutate unless they replicate." Keep Reading
Here’s Who Is Leading DHS Components in Transition to Biden Appointments
Acting Homeland Security Secretary David Pekoske announced who will be leading DHS components and offices in the near term, until new leadership is appointed by the president and, in some cases, confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Keep Reading
Keith Jones Named New State Department CIO
Keith Jones has been appointed as the Department of State’s Chief Information Officer. Jones has previously spent over 36 years in the federal government, having retired from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in October 2018, where he served as acting Chief Information Officer and Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer. Keep Reading
White House Announces Acting Agency Heads
These individuals, nearly all of whom are career civil servants, will temporarily lead federal agencies while Cabinet nominees continue moving through the confirmation process. Keep Reading
Mayorkas Defends ‘Critical Roles’ of CBP and ICE, Will Study What to Do with Built Border Wall
The DHS secretary nominee told senators that when he served as deputy secretary and visited with Border Patrol at headquarters and in the field he was told "we need a diverse approach to border security." Keep Reading
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Mayorkas: Cybersecurity, Industry Partnerships Will Be Among ‘Highest Priorities’ at DHS
"The threat is real and the threat is every day and we have to do a much better job than we are doing now," nominee tells senators, stressing that "CISA must improve the cyber hygiene of the federal government." Keep Reading
GAO Warns That DHS Acquisition Programs Face Future Cost Growth or Schedule Slips
The Department of Homeland Security plans to spend more than $7 billion on its portfolio of major acquisition programs—with life-cycle costs over $300 million— in fiscal year 2021 to help execute its many critical missions. Keep Reading
U.S. Army Soldier Arrested for Attempting to Assist ISIS to Conduct Deadly Ambush on U.S. Troops
Cole Bridges joined the U.S. Army in approximately September 2019 and was assigned as a cavalry scout in the 3rd Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Keep Reading
DHS Strategy Calls for Expanded Component Roles in Securing Changing Arctic Region
The strategy focuses on securing the homeland through "persistent presence and all domain awareness," strengthening "access, response, and resilience" in the Arctic, and advancing Arctic governance. Keep Reading
DHS Recognizes Small Business Champions
The Annual Small Business and Small Business Advocate Awards Program recognizes small businesses, small business advocates, and a mentor-protégé team that have shown outstanding performance in advancing the Department’s mission. Keep Reading
2020 Sees Increase in Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea Incidents
Incidents included three hijacked vessels, 11 vessels fired upon, 20 attempted attacks, and 161 vessels boarded. The rise is attributed to an increase of piracy and armed robbery reported within the Gulf of Guinea as well as increased armed robbery activity in the Singapore Straits. Keep Reading
PERSPECTIVE: Perception, Reality, Violence Fuel Law Enforcement’s Challenge with Extremism
There are not enough law enforcement officers that can enforce the law and hold the line when the numbers joining in with amped-up extremists on either side of an issue decide they will not be governed. Keep Reading
FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center Was Activated for Record 314 Days in 2020
The previous record for presidentially declared emergencies and major disasters in one year was 128 in 2011. In 2020, that was far surpassed with 230 declarations. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
New COVID-19 Variants: What CDC Does and Does Not Know
An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths. Keep Reading
OIG Rips ‘Single-Minded Focus on Increasing Immigration Prosecutions’ That Led to Family Separations
As a result, more than 3,000 children were separated from their families and issues regarding reuniting children with their parents remain as of this date. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
CDC Expands Negative COVID-19 Test Requirement to All Air Passengers Entering the United States
Testing before and after travel is a critical layer to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19. This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more efficiently protects the health of Americans. Keep Reading
DOJ Sedition Team Investigating Capitol Rioters ‘Just Like’ International Terrorism
"We're looking at everything, money, travel records, looking at disposition, movement, communication records," Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said as cases are likely to "grow into the hundreds." Keep Reading
GAO: DHS Improves Employee Engagement But More Work Needed in the Wake of Instability
A Government Accountability Office review has found that DHS has not issued written guidance on employee engagement action planning and components do not consistently include key elements in their plans, such as outcome-based performance measures. Keep Reading
PERSPECTIVE: Let’s Learn from the Capitol Siege – the Response Was an Absolute Disgrace
The clear threat was obvious and it didn’t require breaking encryption or dark web monitoring to identify it. Keep Reading