President Barack Obama is set to nominate John Pistole as the next TSA assistant secretary. This is Obama’s third nomination for this position as the first two nominees withdrew their nominations after running into confirmation issues. Pistole is currently the deputy director of the FBI and has held this position since fall of 2004. He began his career with the FBI in 1983 as a special agent.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is approving of Obama’s plan to nominate Pistole for assistant secretary of TSA.
“John’s national security and counterterrorism expertise will be a great asset to the Department in our efforts to enhance the security of our vital transportation systems,†Napolitano said.
Pistole’s new role entails overseeing the department’s security for the nation’s 450 federalized airports, as well as other mass-transit systems.
“Strong and effective transportation security requires proactive measures and a strong understanding of the evolving threat picture.,” Napolitano said. “John’s significant experience and expertise in this field—which I have seen firsthand over the last 16 months—will serve both TSA and the traveling public well.”
