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United States Homeland Security Advisor

Assistant to the President for Homeland Security
IncumbentStephen Millersince January 20, 2025
Executive Office of the PresidentHomeland Security Council
National Security CouncilHomeland Security Council
President of the United StatesWhite House Chief of StaffUnited States National Security Advisor
President of the United States
Homeland Security Act 2002
2001
Tom Ridge
Anthony Salisbury

The assistant to the president for homeland security, commonly referred to as the homeland security advisor, is a senior aide in the National Security Council, based in the West Wing of the White House, who serves as principal advisor to the president of the United States on homeland security and counterterrorism issues.

The homeland security advisor is also a statutory member of the United States Homeland Security Council. Serving at the pleasure of the president, the homeland security advisor does not require Senate confirmation for appointment to the office.

In the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush announced the creation of the interim Office of Homeland Security as a cabinet-level office in a speech to a joint session of Congress. He appointed Tom Ridge as its first director. The Homeland Security Council was formally created on October 5, 2001, replacing the Office of Homeland Security.

Under the George W. Bush administration, the homeland security advisor was independent of the National Security Council, residing within the Homeland Security Council. Under the Obama administration, while the Homeland Security Council remained, the Advisor held the title of Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, subordinating the position to the national security advisor.

At the start of the Trump administration, the position of Homeland Security Advisor, occupied by Tom Bossert, was elevated to the rank of Assistant to the President, making it equal in rank to the National Security Advisor. However, after clashes with the National Security Advisor, John Bolton, the position returned to the rank of Deputy Assistant to the President and was subordinate to the National Security Advisor.

And most recently under the Biden administration, the Homeland Security Council remained. The homeland security advisor (Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall) concurrently held the title and served as the Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, subordinating the position to the National Security Advisor.

Column 1
Denotes acting capacity.
No.ImageNameStartEndDurationPresident
1Tom RidgeOctober 8, 2001January 24, 20031 year, 126 daysGeorge W. Bush(2001–2009)
2John GordonApril 30, 2003July 28, 20041 year, 89 days
3Fran TownsendJuly 28, 2004March 30, 20083 years, 246 days
4Ken WainsteinMarch 30, 2008January 20, 2009296 days
5John BrennanJanuary 20, 2009January 25, 20134 years, 5 daysBarack Obama(2009–2017)
6Lisa MonacoJanuary 25, 2013January 20, 20173 years, 361 days
7Tom BossertJanuary 20, 2017April 10, 20181 year, 49 daysDonald Trump(2017–2021)
–Rob JoyceActingApril 10, 2018May 31, 201851 days
8Doug FearsJune 1, 2018July 12, 20191 year, 41 days
9Peter BrownJuly 12, 2019February 7, 2020210 days
10Julia NesheiwatFebruary 20, 2020January 20, 2021334 days
11Liz Sherwood-RandallJanuary 20, 2021January 20, 20254 years, 0 daysJoe Biden(2021–2025)
12Stephen MillerJanuary 20, 2025Incumbent1 year, 115 daysDonald Trump(2025–present)

  • Assistant to the President for Homeland Security (September 20, 2001 – July 28, 2004)

  • Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (July 28, 2004 – January 20, 2009)

  • Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (January 20, 2009 – January 20, 2017)

  • Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (January 20, 2017 – May 31, 2018)

  • Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (June 1, 2018 – January 20, 2021)

  • Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor (January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025)

  • Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor (January 20, 2025 – present)

  • Executive Office of the President

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