Meet Jeh Johnson: Drone Lawyer and Obama's Homeland Security Nominee

National Journal ^ | 10/17/13 | Brian Resnick and Matt Berman

[Old Yeller]

President Obama plans to nominate former Defense Department lawyer Jeh (pronounced "Jay") Johnson for Homeland Security secretary on Friday, The Daily Beast's Daniel Klaidman reports. Johnson will replace acting Secretary Rand Beers, who has been filling in since Janet Napolitano left to become president of the University of California system in September. Johnson was the Defense Department's general counsel from 2009 until last December.

Johnson's legacy at the Defense Department is marked by two high-profile issues: his advocacy of the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," and—as chief lawyer at the Pentagon—his legal authority over all drone strikes carried out by the Defense secretary and President Obama.

Johnson cowrote a report on gays in the military in 2010, an experience that helped turn him into the leading advocate for repeal of the military's don't ask, don't tell policy. In 2010, he told The New York Times that people "underestimate the military's ability to adapt."

But despite that leading, public advocacy on a major social issue, Johnson's role in the Obama administration's drone policy is much more relevant to his possible new perch at Homeland Security. And it could speak volumes about how the administration will conduct security policy through the end of Obama's term.

[IbJensen]

Fruitcake?

[Ken522]

A black lawyer - the sky’s the limit in DC!

[tacticalogic]

Van Jones redux?

[Old Yeller]

Johnson also suggested that U.S. citizens could be targeted in strikes in a February 2012 speech at Yale Law School. "Belligerents who also happen to be U.S. citizens do not enjoy immunity where noncitizen belligerents are valid military objectives," Johnson said. In the same speech,

Johnson pushed the Obama administration's legal rationale for the targeted-killing program, saying that "under well-settled legal principles, lethal force against a valid military objective, in an armed conflict, is consistent with the law of war and does not, by definition, constitute an 'assassination.' "

Johnson's role in drone policy at the Defense Department could play into the Department of Homeland Security's quest to build up a fleet of domestic drones, including Predator drones, with "nonlethal weapons." And it could make for a tense confirmation hearing once Johnson makes it to the Senate (remember Rand Paul's filibuster?).


And there it is.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

Another black homosexual?

Doesn't Obama have any Muslim friends?

[A'elian' nation]

This is deja vu all over again.

Remember when the gay governor of New Jersey, McGreevy, appointed his boyfriend from Israel, Golan Cipel, as the state’s homeland security chief ?

[onedoug]

Sure. They’re all black homosexuals.

[Tupelo]

Looks like pResident Obama is slipping in another Affirmative Action cabinet member.
Just keep watching.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Jeh = Meh

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

When Obama introduced this guy, Johnson said to Obama, “I’m loyal to you, Mr. President.”

Johnson’s first loyalty should be to the American people.
(I know, I’m dreaming when it comes to expecting decency and normal behavior from anyone in this administration).

[VerySadAmerican]

He’ll get at least 98 votes in the senate.

[VerySadAmerican]

If anyone needs reminding HSA is another “gift” W left us.

[LucyT]

Johnson also suggested that U.S. citizens could be targeted in strikes in a February 2012 speech at Yale Law School. "Belligerents who also happen to be U.S. citizens do not enjoy immunity where noncitizen belligerents are valid military objectives," Johnson said. In the same speech,

Johnson pushed the Obama administration's legal rationale for the targeted-killing program, saying that "under well-settled legal principles, lethal force against a valid military objective, in an armed conflict, is consistent with the law of war and does not, by definition, constitute an 'assassination.' "

Johnson's role in drone policy at the Defense Department could play into the Department of Homeland Security's quest to build up a fleet of domestic drones, including Predator drones, with "nonlethal weapons." And it could make for a tense confirmation hearing once Johnson makes it to the Senate (remember Rand Paul's filibuster?).

[maine-iac7]

Doesn't Obama have any Muslim friends?

ARe you serious? Here's a few we know about - IN THE WH

When are Americans going to wake up to the fact that has been a coup in the WH? Jarret is the handler, mossechelle the watcher

[maine-iac7]

The Drone Master.

Why do you think ‘bummer’s illegal/fake ‘census takers - NOT in a Census year - came around and “painted” your very doors?

That’s how drones find their target - to the very square foot.

Why is the DHS and the DOD listed as dept.s overseeing ‘bummerCAre - and why is health insurance run by the IRS?

If you don’t know the answers to these - it’s already too late for you to do anything for you and your family - not enough catch-up time before the TSHTF.

“And the meek shall inherit”

[NonValueAdded]

As chief Pentagon lawyer, he had his hands dirty right up to the elbows with the insane ROE, I’ll bet.

[ken5050]

Jeh...”Meh”

[TangoLimaSierra]

A guy so boring his parents couldn’t even finish his name.

[windsorknot]

He’s not your average Jeh.