For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
"I had a very productive meeting with Commander Rehbein today. We connected meaningfully about the important issues that have emerged over recent days, and I offered him my sincere apologies for any offense to our veterans caused by this report. I also discussed with him the many ways in which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) engages those who have bravely served this country as we work toward our mission to protect the United States homeland. I pledge that the Department has fixed the internal process that allowed this document to be released before it was ready.
Commander Rehbein and I agreed that the Department of Homeland Security and the veterans of this great country are both dedicated to the same goal: ensuring the safety and prosperity of the American people. I am proud that DHS can stand beside our veterans to uphold this duty.
DHS honors and respects all veterans, including the distinguished men and women that make up 26 percent of our workforce. Nearly 44,000 veterans currently serve the Department, including our Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute. I am committed to working closely with veterans groups such as the American Legion in order to establish an even greater sense of partnership and respect between DHS and our nation’s veterans.”
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