Senator Charles Schumer called on the Obama administration Friday to nominate New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly as the new Secretary of Homeland Security, filling the position that will be left behind by Janet Napolitano.
“The Department of Homeland Security is one of the most important agencies in the federal government. Its 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,” said Schumer in a press release.
“As a former head of the Customs and Border patrol, he has top-level federal management experience. 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.”
Schumer officially made his recommendation via a phone call to the White House, in which he spoke with White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough.
Long Island congressman Peter King also shared the same sentiment as Schumer as he listed many of Kelly’s accomplishments.
“He has the largest counter terrorism force in the country, [and] he previously worked in Washington as the head of customs which is an integral part of Homeland Security,” said King to CBS News, referring to when Kelly led U.S. Customs and Border Control under former President Bill Clinton.
Napolitano announced this week that she would be resigning from her cabinet position for a new career as the president of the University of California system.
Kelly has not yet commented on the position, but has stressed that he is focusing his time on his current job.
[Source: Press Release, CBS News]