John Kelly

            My VIP for this week is Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. Kelly is one of numerous outstanding men and women that President Donald Trump selected to head his departments. They are transparent and open about what they do and why they do it.      According to James Carafano at the DailySignal, Secretary Kelly spoke at George Washington University recently and detailed the direction that he is taking the Department of Homeland Security. It appears that he has a plan and is willing to work it. Carafano gives five reasons why he thinks Kelly is the right person to head this department.

1.) Political Correctness Is No Longer Correct. This retired Marine is the right leader for this department because he is “mission-oriented.” He is “plain-spoken, nonpartisan leader who puts the security of Americans above the political squabbles of the day.” “Doing the right thing – politics aside – is the standard at Kelly’s Department of Homeland Security.”

2.) Putting Priorities First. Kelly focused his department on the top three tasks: “combating transnational Islamist terrorism, battling the criminal cartels that are undermining security at the border, and enhancing cybersecurity.” Its other tasks are important, but the department will focus on these three tasks.

3.) Putting People First. Kelly understands the “big problem” of employee morale and “is committed to addressing them.”

4.) Being a Good Neighbor. Kelly is the former commander of the U.S. military Southern Command, and he “earned a reputation as an honest broker, a good friend, and a straight shooter.” He will bring to his new position the same “experience, expertise, and reputation.”

5.) Playing for the Team. “Kelly has established a strong working relationship with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson” who head other departments. He also “enjoys the confidence and support of the White House” as the “president trusts in Kelly’s judgment and leadership.”

            I have not had a good opinion of the Department of Homeland Security. I have high hopes that Kelly can change my feelings toward this department that has the responsibility to keep “America free, safe, and prosperous.” I hope that he does. I also hope that the members of his department do become “Kelly’s heroes.”