Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas made a statement regarding new Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis Kenneth Wainstein's confirmation.
Mayorkas is pleased to have Wainstein on board, the Department of Homeland Security reported in a release.
"I thank the Senate for confirming Kenneth L. Wainstein to lead DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), and I am incredibly proud to welcome him to the Department," Mayorkas said in the release.
Mayorkas said Wainstein has worked for the government for several generations, the DHS reported.
"Ken is an extraordinarily dedicated and talented public servant with decades of government experience during both Democratic and Republican Administrations," Mayorkas said. "I am confident that his expertise in national security, counterterrorism, and intelligence will greatly benefit our Department and our country as we continue to combat evolving threats."
Mayorkas said he is anticipating Wainstein helping run I&A and maintaining Americans' safety, the DHS reported.
"I look forward to working with Ken as he leads I&A in its critical mission to share timely and actionable information and intelligence with our partners across every level of government, in the private sector, local communities, and the public to help keep Americans safe," Mayorkas said.
Mayorkas also tipped his hat off to the current acting senior official, the DHS reported.
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to Melissa Smislova for her steadfast leadership as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of Under Secretary for I&A and for her extraordinary contributions to the Department over the past 17 years," Mayorkas said. "Melissa will continue to serve at I&A as Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary, where she will work alongside Ken and the dedicated I&A team to advance the vital work of the office."
