Colleagues,
I had the privilege this morning of administering the Oath of Office to our new Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, John Tien.
John is a retired U.S. Army Colonel whose military career spanned 24 years. During his tenure, he executed multiple overseas assignments in Europe and the Middle East and completed three combat tours in Iraq. John knows better than most what it means to truly safeguard our nation, and I am honored to have his expertise here at DHS.
I am proud to share that John is not only the first Asian American to be confirmed as the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, but was the first Asian American to ever serve as the First Captain and Brigade Commander at the United States Military Academy at West Point. John’s career boasts many firsts and we are proud that DHS is a part of that history.
Prior to joining the Department, John spent a decade in senior executive roles in the critical infrastructure financial services sector, where he assisted customers in safeguarding their accounts against various cyber threats. Preceding that portion of his career, he served in the Clinton Administration as a White House Fellow in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Bush Administration as the National Security Council Director for Iraq, and in the Obama Administration as the National Security Council Senior Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
I would like to recognize David Pekoske, who has served as the Department’s Acting Secretary and Acting Deputy Secretary. I am deeply grateful for the great work that David has accomplished throughout the past several months. I am thankful that he will continue to serve our Department as he returns to his leadership of the Transportation Security Administration.
I look forward to sharing with John the honor of working alongside you as we execute together our critical homeland security mission. Our new Deputy Secretary will learn immediately why it is indeed such an honor to do so. There are no more dedicated and talented public servants than all of you.
Please join me in thanking David and welcoming John. Thank you for everything you do in service of our Nation.
Sincerely,
Alejandro N. Mayorkas
Secretary of Homeland Security
With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.