Eleanor Finch
The concept of homeland security in the United States has evolved over time, with the country's constitution defining the federal government's basic purpose as to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Office of Homeland Security was established, and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), formalizing it as a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department. The DHS combines over 22 federal departments and agencies, aiming to unify and strengthen homeland security efforts and protect the country from terrorism and future attacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 2002 |
| Date of establishment | 1 March 2003 |
| Formation | The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the Department of Homeland Security |
| Purpose | To safeguard the country against terrorism and respond to any future attacks |
| Leadership | Secretary of Homeland Security |
| Leadership | Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism |
| Leadership | Secretary of State |
| Leadership | Attorney General |
| Leadership | Director of National Intelligence |
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What You'll Learn
Homeland Security Act of 2002
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) was introduced in response to the September 11 attacks and subsequent mailings of anthrax spores. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush in November 2002. The Act created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is headed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, and established it as a Cabinet-level department.
The DHS is composed of several different divisions that work to protect the United States from domestic and foreign terrorism. It is the largest federal government reorganization since the Department of Defense was created in 1947. The Act also includes the establishment of a Directorate of Science and Technology, headed by an Under Secretary for Science and Technology, which is responsible for advising the Secretary on research and development efforts, developing a national policy and strategic plan for countering terrorist threats, and supporting the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection.
The Homeland Security Act also includes provisions that identify specific duties for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (EP&R Directorate). This includes ensuring that the use of intelligence and its own threat analysis of terrorist capabilities are used to distribute funds to areas where the threat is greatest, and coordinating priorities regionally and nationally.
The Act also established a Joint Interagency Homeland Security Task Force, composed of representatives from military and civilian agencies, to anticipate and take action against terrorist threats. Additionally, it requires the inclusion of a detailed homeland security funding analysis in the President's annual budget documents.
The Department of Homeland Security also works to enhance preparedness and response efforts and integrate these with prevention work, as well as coordinating and unifying national homeland security efforts.
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Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created through the combination of all or part of 22 different federal departments and agencies into a unified, more effective, integrated department. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the department, and it came into being as a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department in March 2003.
The DHS was formed to further coordinate and unify national homeland security efforts. Its mission is to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur. The department's role and responsibilities are continuously evolving, adapting to changing circumstances and events.
The Office of Homeland Security was established in 2002, eleven days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was appointed as the first Director of the Office of Homeland Security. The office oversaw and coordinated a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard the country against terrorism and respond to any future attacks. The Homeland Security Council (HSC) was also established by President George W. Bush in 2001, through Executive Order 13228, to ensure coordination of all homeland security-related activities among executive departments and agencies.
The DHS has a broad range of responsibilities, including emergency preparedness and response, prevention strategy, nuclear defense, and the protection of federal buildings. The department also focuses on the integration of biosurveillance data from military and civilian sources, as well as data from animal, human health, intelligence, and agricultural surveillance.
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Homeland Security Council
The Homeland Security Council (HSC) was established by President George W. Bush on October 8, 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks. The HSC's primary purpose is to ensure the coordination of all homeland security-related activities among executive departments and agencies, and to promote the effective development and implementation of homeland security policies. The HSC is led by the President, who presides over its meetings, and includes the Vice President, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Transportation, the Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. The HSC staff, directed by Mr. Wainstein, consists of approximately 35 people, including a Deputy Assistant to the President and six Special Assistants to the President who report to the homeland security advisor on policy areas such as border and transportation security, emergency preparedness and response, and prevention strategy.
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department, further emphasising the importance of national homeland security. The Act also reorganised intelligence operations within the department, elevating the Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to the Under Secretary level. The Office of Homeland Security, also established in 2002, discussed the link between the National Security Strategy of the United States (NSSUS) and the National Strategy for Homeland Security (NSHS). The NSSUS aims to ensure the sovereignty and independence of the United States through the application of political, economic, and military power.
The HSC plays a crucial role in coordinating and promoting homeland security efforts across various federal, state, and local entities, with the goal of reducing the potential for terrorist attacks and mitigating damage in the event of an incident. The establishment of the HSC and the Department of Homeland Security reflect the evolving nature of homeland security and the US government's commitment to safeguarding the nation against terrorist threats and other national security challenges.
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National Security Strategy of the US
The National Security Strategy (NSS) is a document prepared periodically by the executive branch of the United States government. It outlines the country's national security concerns and the administration's plans to address them. The NSS is intentionally broad in its content, with specific implementation details left to supporting documents such as the National Military Strategy.
The NSS plays a crucial role in communicating the executive's strategic vision, both domestically and internationally. It helps create internal consensus within the executive branch and contributes to the President's overall agenda. Notably, the NSS did not always exist; its legal foundation was established in the Goldwater–Nichols Act.
The NSS is dynamic and adapts to evolving security challenges. For instance, the 2010 NSS emphasized the need for interagency cooperation and engagement with the Muslim population in Afghanistan and worldwide to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban. It also promoted democracy and economic development as long-term solutions for conflict resolution.
The 2006 NSS, issued by the Bush administration, framed the fight against terrorism as a "wartime national security strategy," with a focus on "promoting freedom, justice, and human dignity" and "leading a growing community of democracies." Interestingly, it also acknowledged environmental destruction as a potential threat to national security, warranting a response akin to traditional security challenges.
In 2015, President Obama issued an NSS that recognized climate change as an "urgent and growing threat." However, the 2017 NSS, delivered by President Trump, removed "climate change" as a national threat and named China and Russia as "revisionist powers."
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Terrorist threats
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created through the combination of all or part of 22 different federal departments and agencies. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the department, which formally came into being as a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department in 2003. The Act also reorganized intelligence operations at the Department, elevating the Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to the Under Secretary level.
The DHS is responsible for safeguarding the country against terrorism and responding to any attacks. The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) is designed to communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the American public. The NTAS replaced the color-coded alerts of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) in 2011.
The 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA) describes a threat environment that is expected to remain high over the coming year. This is due to factors such as potential violent extremist responses to domestic sociopolitical developments and international events. Lone offenders and small groups continue to pose a significant threat, and foreign terrorist organizations such as ISIS and al Qa'ida maintain their intent to conduct or inspire attacks.
To address these threats, DHS has surged resources, increased detection capabilities, and awarded funding to support target hardening and physical security enhancements for organizations at high risk of terrorist attacks. Additionally, domestic violent extremism has been designated as a "National Priority Area" within the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).
The United States has also taken steps to protect itself from foreign terrorists by implementing vetting and screening procedures for aliens seeking admission to the country and evaluating existing regulations, policies, and visa programs to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a unified, Cabinet-level department to coordinate national homeland security efforts.
The DHS was created to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur. The department also works to safeguard the country against terrorism and respond to any future attacks.
The NSSUS aims to ensure the sovereignty and independence of the United States, applying political, economic, and military power to ensure the nation's survival. The Office of Homeland Security (2002) discussed the link between the NSSUS and the National Strategy for Homeland Security (NSHS), with both strategies complementing each other by addressing the challenge of terrorism.
