History / Offices

Secretary of Homeland Security

16 people have held this office since Jan 24, 2003. Now: Markwayne Mullin R.

Holders
16
8 R · 4 D · 2 I · 2 U
Longest tenure
4.6 years
Janet Napolitano
Current
7 months
Markwayne Mullin, since Mar 31, 2026
history/office/secretary-of-homeland-securityEvery holder, newest first
+16
20052010201520202025Tom Ridge · 2003-01-24 – 2005-02-01 · RepublicanJames Loy · 2005-02-01 – 2005-02-15 · IndependentMichael Chertoff · 2005-02-15 – 2009-01-21 · RepublicanJanet Napolitano · 2009-01-21 – 2013-09-06 · DemocratRand Beers · 2013-09-06 – 2013-12-23 · DemocratJeh C. Johnson · 2013-12-23 – 2017-01-20 · DemocratJohn F. Kelly · 2017-01-20 – 2017-07-31 · RepublicanElaine Duke · 2017-07-31 – 2017-12-06 · RepublicanKirstjen Nielsen · 2017-12-06 – 2019-04-05 · RepublicanKevin McAleenan · 2019-04-11 – 2019-10-11 · IndependentChad Wolf · 2019-11-13 – 2021-01-11 · RepublicanPete Gaynor · 2021-01-11 – 2021-01-20David Pekoske · 2021-01-20 – 2021-02-02Alejandro Mayorkas · 2021-02-02 – 2025-01-20 · DemocratKristi Noem · 2025-01-25 – 2026-03-24 · RepublicanMarkwayne Mullin · 2026-03-31 – present · Republican
Markwayne Mullin R
Mar 31, 2026 – present · 7 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Kristi Noem R
Jan 25, 2025 – Mar 24, 2026 · 14 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Alejandro Mayorkas D
Feb 2, 2021 – Jan 20, 2025 · 4 years · appointed by Joe Biden
David Pekoske (acting)
Jan 20, 2021 – Feb 2, 2021 · 13 days
Pete Gaynor (acting)
Jan 11, 2021 – Jan 20, 2021 · 9 days
Chad Wolf R (acting)
Nov 13, 2019 – Jan 11, 2021 · 14 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Kevin McAleenan I (acting)
Apr 11, 2019 – Oct 11, 2019 · 6 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Kirstjen Nielsen R
Dec 6, 2017 – Apr 5, 2019 · 16 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Elaine Duke R (acting)
Jul 31, 2017 – Dec 6, 2017 · 4 months
John F. Kelly R
Jan 20, 2017 – Jul 31, 2017 · 6 months · appointed by Donald Trump
Jeh C. Johnson D
Dec 23, 2013 – Jan 20, 2017 · 3.1 years · appointed by Barack Obama
Rand Beers D (acting)
Sep 6, 2013 – Dec 23, 2013 · 4 months
Janet Napolitano D
Jan 21, 2009 – Sep 6, 2013 · 4.6 years · appointed by Barack Obama
Michael Chertoff R
Feb 15, 2005 – Jan 21, 2009 · 3.9 years · appointed by George W. Bush
James Loy I (acting)
Feb 1, 2005 – Feb 15, 2005 · 14 days
Tom Ridge R
Jan 24, 2003 – Feb 1, 2005 · 2 years · appointed by George W. Bush

Dates are from Wikidata, which has gaps for some historical offices. Consecutive terms of one person are merged.