US President George Bush announced on January 11, 2005 his nomination of Michael Chertoff (51), a federal appeals court judge and former federal prosecutor, to the post of Secretary of Homeland Defense. Bush contended that Chertoff had been a ?key leader in the war against terrorism? and had ?a deep commitment to the cause of justice.? To that, Chertoff was involved in an investigation that conclusively linked the 9/11 attacks through Zacarias Moussaoui to al-Qaeda , and he has been active in designing the US strategy, primarily developing the US Patriot Act, in the Global War on Terrorism (GWoT). Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) said that ?Chertoff?s anti-terrorism experience will serve the country well,? according to CNN.

Chertoff was also heavily involved in promoting information sharing between the FBI, state, and local officials. He seems to be able to facilitate cooperative efforts across institutions and to minimize the bureaucratic mentality, which has plagued the Department. During the press briefing, Bush said of Chertoff, ?he will always been a friend to America?s first responders,? and Chertoff countered that ?[he would] be proud to stand again with the men and women who form our front line against terrorism.?