Sen. Charles Schumer today recommended that President Obama tap city Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to become the new federal Homeland Security secretary, just hours after Janet Napolitano announced she’s stepping down.
Schumer said he personally made the request in a conversation with Obama chief of staff Dennis McDonough.
“The Department of Homeland Security is one of the most important agencies in the federal government. It’s leader needs to be someone who knows law enforcement, understands anti-terrorism efforts, and is a top-notch administrator, and at the NYPD, Ray Kelly has proven that he excels in all three,” Schumer said.
Schumer noted that Kelly has federal management experience. He formerly served as head of the US Customs and Border patrol under then-President Bill Clinton.
“There is no doubt Ray Kelly would be a great DHS Secretary, and I have urged the White House to very seriously consider his candidacy. While it would be New York’s loss, Commissioner Kelly’s appointment as the head of DHS would be a great boon for the entire country. Janet Napolitano has done an outstanding job, and if I had to give her a grade on her tenure, it would be ‘A+’. We need someone just as good who can fill her shoes,” Schumer said.