United States Secretary of Homeland Security

The Secretary of Homeland Security is the head of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the body concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens. He is a member of the President's Cabinet. The position was created following the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack. Previously, the job of protecting the American homeland was divided among numerous other agencies, such as the FBI, CIA, and Justice Department.

Secretaries of Homeland Security:

Name	Term of Office	President(s) served under
Tom Ridge	January 24, 2003 - present	George W. Bush

From October 8, 2001 to January 24, 2003 Tom Ridge held the office of Director of Homeland Security[?], a short-lived cabinet-level office that served as a interim capacity until Congress approved the new department.