Michael Chertoff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Chertoff
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Official portrait, 2022
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| 2nd United States Secretary of Homeland Security | |
| In office February 15, 2005 – January 21, 2009 |
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| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | James Loy (acting) Tom Ridge |
| Succeeded by | Janet Napolitano |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| In office June 10, 2003 – February 15, 2005 |
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| Appointed by | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Morton Ira Greenberg |
| Succeeded by | Michael Chagares |
| United States Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division | |
| In office January 20, 2001 – June 10, 2003 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | James Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Christopher A. Wray |
| United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey | |
| In office 1990–1994 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Samuel Alito |
| Succeeded by | Faith S. Hochberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 28, 1953 Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Meryl Justin
(m. 1988) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA, JD) |
Michael Chertoff (born November 28, 1953) is an American lawyer. He served as the second Secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush. He also served for one extra day under President Barack Obama.
Chertoff helped write the USA PATRIOT Act. Before this, he was a federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He also worked as a federal prosecutor and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney General. He became Secretary of Homeland Security on February 15, 2005, taking over from Tom Ridge.
After leaving government, he started a company called the Chertoff Group. This company helps with managing risks and security. He also works as a senior lawyer at a law firm in Washington, D.C.. He is involved with Freedom House, which works to protect freedom around the world. He also serves on a board that supports democracy.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michael Chertoff was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His father, Gershon Baruch Chertoff, was a rabbi and a scholar. His mother, Livia Chertoff, was from Poland and was the first flight attendant for El Al, an airline. His grandparents were also rabbis.
Chertoff went to the Jewish Educational Center and the Pingry School. He then studied at Harvard College and earned a degree in 1975. During his studies, he spent time in London at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He later went to Harvard Law School and earned his law degree in 1978.
Michael Chertoff's Career in Law
After law school, Chertoff worked as a law clerk for two important judges. He worked for Judge Murray Gurfein and then for United States Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr..
From 1980 to 1983, Chertoff worked at a private law firm. Then, Rudolph Giuliani, who was a prosecutor, hired him. Chertoff worked on cases involving organized crime and government corruption. Later, in the mid-1990s, he returned to private practice and helped open a law office in Newark, New Jersey.
In 1986, he helped with a major effort to stop organized crime. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush appointed Chertoff as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. He handled important cases, including one in 1992 where a mayor was found responsible for misusing money.
In 1993, he was a prosecutor in a case against the founder of the Crazy Eddie electronics stores.
Chertoff was asked to stay in his role when the Clinton administration began in 1993. This was unusual, as most U.S. Attorneys are replaced when a new president takes office. He continued working until 1994, when he went back to private law practice.
Chertoff was also a special lawyer for a Senate committee. This committee looked into claims against President Clinton and his wife. No charges were brought against them.
In 2000, Chertoff worked on a committee investigating racial profiling in New Jersey. He also helped raise money for George W. Bush's presidential campaign. He advised Bush on issues related to the justice system.
Working at the Department of Justice
President Bush appointed Chertoff to lead the criminal division of the Department of Justice. He served in this role from 2001 to 2003. Chertoff was a senior official at the F.B.I. command center right after the September 11 attacks. He led the government's case against a suspected terrorist named Zacarias Moussaoui.
Chertoff also led a case against an accounting firm for destroying documents. This case was debated because the firm closed, causing many people to lose their jobs. The Supreme Court later overturned the conviction.
Becoming a Federal Judge
On March 5, 2003, President Bush nominated Chertoff to become a judge. He was to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The Senate approved his nomination on June 9, 2003, with a vote of 88 to 1. He became a federal judge the next day. Chertoff served as a federal judge from 2003 to 2005.
Serving as Secretary of Homeland Security
In late 2004, President Bush needed a new Secretary of Homeland Security. After a long search, Bush nominated Chertoff in January 2005. He chose Chertoff because of his experience with laws related to terrorism after 9/11. The United States Senate unanimously approved him on February 15, 2005.
Hurricane Katrina happened while Chertoff was Secretary of Homeland Security. The department was criticized for not being ready for the hurricane. Much of the criticism was aimed at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. People said that the Department of Homeland Security and Chertoff did not respond well to the disaster. They were criticized for not paying enough attention to the storm, which became a very costly disaster.
Chertoff was also a key person in pushing for a new immigration reform bill. This bill did not pass in the Senate in June 2007.
The Obama administration asked Chertoff to stay in his job for one extra day. This was to make sure the change in leadership went smoothly.
Building the Border Fence
Under Chertoff's leadership, the Department of Homeland Security built many miles of fencing. This fence was along the border between the United States and Mexico. In April 2008, Chertoff allowed the department to skip environmental reviews. This was done to build the fence faster.
A report said that Congress had given Chertoff the power to do this in 2005. However, his actions were seen as an expansion of this power. His actions meant the Department of Homeland Security did not have to follow laws protecting the environment, animals, and historical sites. Some people criticized this, saying it harmed fragile habitats.
A report from the Congressional Research Service said that giving Chertoff such broad powers was very unusual. In June 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States decided not to hear a challenge to the law that gave Chertoff this power.
Actions on Immigration
In September 2007, Chertoff stated that the Department of Homeland Security would not allow cities to block a program. This program requires some employers to check if their workers are legally allowed to work.
In 2008, it was reported that the company Chertoff hired to clean his house employed people who were not legally authorized to work.
After Government Service
After leaving government, Chertoff worked as a senior lawyer at a law firm.
He started The Chertoff Group (TCG) on February 2, 2009. This company focuses on managing crises and risks. Other former high-ranking government officials also work there.
Chertoff was also chosen as Chairman of BAE Systems for a three-year term, starting in May 2012. He also helps lead a task force on immigration.
Chertoff was part of a legal team that represented a person from Russia/Ukraine. He is also a member of the Atlantic Council's board of directors.
From 2017 to 2019, Chertoff was part of a group called the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace. He became a co-chair of this group in its final year.
In July 2020, Chertoff wrote an article saying that the Trump administration was using the Department of Homeland Security for political reasons.
Michael Chertoff's Views
Globalization
In 2009, Chertoff talked about globalization. He said that while it can improve lives, it can also help criminals and terrorists.
Body Scanners
Chertoff has supported using new technologies like full body scanners. His consulting company, Chertoff Group, has represented companies that make these scanners.
Climate Change
Chertoff signed a report in 2014 about Climate Change. He said that climate change is a big challenge that will increase security risks around the world. He noted it would affect both developing nations and stronger countries like the United States.
Political Endorsements
In the 2016 presidential election, Chertoff supported Hillary Clinton.
In 2024, Chertoff supported Jon Bramnick for Governor of New Jersey.
Selected Publications
- (2009) Homeland Security: Assessing the First Five Years
- (2018) Exploding Data: Reclaiming Our Cyber Security in the Digital Age
See also
- List of Harvard University politicians
- List of Jewish American jurists
- List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Seat 3)
- List of Jewish United States Cabinet members
