Top-level turnover makes it harder for DHS to stay on top of evolving threats

Washington Post ^ | September 21, 2014 | Jerry Markon, Ellen Nakashima and Alice Crites

[Second Amendment First]

An exodus of top-level officials from the Department of Homeland Security is undercutting the agency’s ability to stay ahead of a range of emerging threats, including potential terrorist strikes and cyberattacks, according to interviews with current and former officials.

Over the past four years, employees have left DHS at a rate nearly twice as fast as in the federal government overall, and the trend is accelerating, according to a review of a federal database.

The departures are a result of what employees widely describe as a dysfunctional work environment, abysmal morale, and the lure of private security companies paying top dollar that have proliferated in Washington since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The department’s terrorism intelligence arm, for example, has cycled through six directors during the Obama administration, decimating morale and contributing to months-long delays in releasing intelligence reports, according to interviews and government reports.

A parade of high-level departures, on top of other factors, has meanwhile helped slow the rollout of key cybersecurity initiatives, including a program aimed at blocking malicious software before it can infiltrate civilian government computers, former officials say.

With the country facing a crisis of unaccompanied minors crossing the southwest border in recent months, the pair of DHS agencies responsible for tackling this problem have been hindered by turnover of top officials. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, for instance, has had six commissioners under President Obama, four of them in a caretaker role because they were not confirmed by the Senate.

And at the Transportation Security Administration, a DHS agency created after 9/11 to enhance airport security, the hemorrhaging of both senior and junior personnel has “had a tremendous effect,’’ said Kenneth Kasprisin, a former acting TSA head who left the agency in May.

[BuffaloJack]

The Department of Homeland Security should NEVER have been created. That being said, the fact that is has a high turnover rate is immaterial. Disband it and give the duties to the FBI where they belong.

[Scutter]

Rats deserting a sinking ship? why are they all leaving? What do they know?

[Ancient Wonderboy]

“STAY ON TOP” ?????????????????

Since when .................

[SeeSharp]

And at the Transportation Security Administration, a DHS agency created after 9/11 to enhance airport security, the hemorrhaging of both senior and junior personnel has “had a tremendous effect,’’ said Kenneth Kasprisin, a former acting TSA head who left the agency in May.

Fondling the genitals of ugly airline passengers all day doesn't sound like a very rewarding career.

[Son House]

Or are they just waiting to learn about what’s evolving in the news, as most Democrats do.

How about outsourcing the job to a company like Blackwater?

[DownInFlames]

I believe it’s close to SHTF time.

[Cold Heart]

“What do they know?”
The dumb asses just found out who was president.

[Smokin' Joe]

Be calm, Relax. These are standard indictment avoidance maneuvers. The hard drives will be wiped, the phones recycled, the records lost...

Those who left will manage to be held blameless, the newbies will blame the transition team if anything goes wrong...

[iowacornman]

Working for DHS is like working for the Waffen SS— Leading humans to slaughter. Those that leave will be spared.

[Argus]

Well, who WOULD want to work for the likes of Obama, Holder and the ultra-ridiculous Jeh Johnson?

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

DHS created all its own problems :

#1) The administration placed an active member of the Muslim Brotherhood as it's assistant DIrector ; no wonder they have a problem tracking ISIS.
That individual has since quit his post after advocating for the ISIS Caliphate. The 'wolf' was in the henhouse, ..at the front door!!
#2) DHS, out of the EXECUTIVE branch (ie: pRes__ent's office), advertized on 1/29/14 for "ESCORTS" for illegal, undocumented youths comming North thru Mexico.
Therefore, with foreknowledge, they created and assisted in the alien crisis on our southern border.
#3) DHS has made citizens subject to 'grooping', X-ray, and barefoot at an airline security gate, whereas illegal children walk across the border without a pat-down.
Citizens and lawful Americans are being subjected to more scrutiny and inspection without warrant or 'probable cause' than the unknown, undocumented illegals.
#4) DHS has become a Travelers Aid and Tourist Agency for foreigners, and as such has contributed to disease, TB, viruses, Chickymumba (mosquito),malaria , and head lice.
As a result of lax health policy, it single-handedly has contributed to diseases and pestilence which were already eradicated here in the States, or indtroduced new diseases.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Blackwater is the last bunch you ever want to have to deal with. Fortunately they went out of bidness.

[rockinqsranch]

“Top-level turnover makes it harder for DHS to stay on top of evolving threats”

I’ve been around in the corporate World, and thought I’d heard all the excuses. THAT one takes the prize.

[vbmoneyspender]

Blackwater is the last bunch you ever want to have to deal with.

Why is that? I mean I saw all the left wing propaganda on Blackwater but it was pretty obvious to any intelligent observer that that was designed to tarnish the Bush administration rather to constitute an actual complaint against Blackwater.

[Gator113]

cc: ISIS

[KoRn]

Well said....

This “crisis” has all of the feel of a media plant to generate higher pay, or something for a .gov union.....

[Jane Long]

I was thinking the same thing. Excuses are ALL that this admin EVER has. Forget leadership....just make up another excuse for why you screw everything up.

[FreedomStar3028]

Ummm, so basically they can’t operate without top level instruction on who to not deport? Who to stay in? What a joke. Take initiative, give the bird to the President and Admin, and DO YOUR JOBS.

[PGalt]

Excuses, excuses, excuses for "the One" and bumbling bureaucracies in general.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.