Colleagues,
Yesterday, I had the privilege of being administered the Oath of Office publicly by Secretary Mayorkas to serve as the new Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
I am honored and humbled to serve as your Deputy, and to begin working alongside each of you.
I first began my career of public service at the United States Military Academy at West Point where I became the first Asian American to ever serve as the First Captain and Brigade Commander. For the next 24 years, I served as a U.S. Army combat arms officer, retiring in 2011 at the rank of Colonel.
Following my time in the military, I was honored to serve in the Obama, Bush, and Clinton Administrations, and spent ten years serving in senior executive roles in the critical infrastructure financial services sector as a managing director at Citigroup.
The work that we do at the Department cannot be understated. I look forward to supporting our workforce, strengthening the Department, and working and learning with you, and executing our critical homeland security mission together.
As a Department, we are already making history. We raised the first Pride flag at St. Elizabeths Campus, swore in the first woman to serve as FEMA Administrator, and today, I recognize and understand the responsibilities that come with serving as the first Asian American to be confirmed as the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. I will uphold the values of our Department and look to pave the way for those who will come after me.
Sincerely,
John Tien
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.