Jeh Johnson

Jeh Johnson is an American lawyer and former government official, born on September 11, 1957, in New York City. He served as the 4th United States Secretary of Homeland Security from 2013 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. Prior to that, Johnson was the General Counsel of the Department of Defense from 2009 to 2012, where he played a pivotal role in national security legal matters. He has also held positions as the General Counsel of the Air Force and as a federal prosecutor. Johnson is currently a partner at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, and serves on the boards of various organizations, including MetLife and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum .

Throughout his career, Johnson has been recognized for his leadership in national security and legal affairs. He was awarded the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Award in 2018 for his contributions to the defense of the nation. In 2021, he received The American Lawyer's Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2022, he was honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Johnson has also been an outspoken advocate for civil liberties, emphasizing the importance of balancing national security with the protection of individual rights. He has criticized policies that he believes undermine constitutional freedoms, such as the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border .

One of Jeh Johnson's notable quotes is: "Immigration is the most difficult issue I've ever dealt with, and I've dealt with some tough issues: drones, gays in the military, WikiLeaks, Guantanamo. But immigration is hardest because there are so few people willing to talk and build consensus. Everybody's firmly made up their mind. It's a polarized issue." This reflects his acknowledgment of the complexities and challenges surrounding immigration policy. Another significant quote from him is: "Those of us in public office and those of us who aspire to public office have a responsibility to be reasonable, fact-based, in our rhetoric and to not suggest things that are unreasonable, to whip up a lot of emotion in public, which can lead to government overreach, fear, suspicions, and prejudice." This underscores his belief in the importance of measured and responsible discourse in public service .