The U.S. faces "more diverse and dynamic" threats now than it ever has in the past, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at the recent unveiling of a former DHS secretary's official portrait.

Majorkas spoke at the Jan. 24 Official Portrait Unveiling Ceremony for former DHS Sec. Jeh Johnson, whom he called "one of our great leaders," according to a transcript of his remarks released by the DHS. Johnson, the agency's fourth secretary, served from Dec. 23, 2013 until Jan. 20, 2017. Prior to serving as DHS secretary, Johnson was the General Counsel of the Department of Defense from 2009 through 2012, his government page reports. 

Mayorkas in his remarks extolled Johnson's leadership, especially in developing new technologies, operational advances and the DHS workforce, the transcript reports. 

Former DHS Sec. Jeh Johnson (left) and current DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas stand with the official portrait of Johnson on Jan. 24, 2023. | U.S. Department of Homeland Security

“Today, homeland security is national security," Mayorkas said. "The threats now facing our country are more diverse and dynamic than ever before, yet our Department can address them successfully because we are able to build on the contributions and achievements of those who have preceded us.

“Today, we celebrate one of those individuals, one of our great leaders, Secretary Johnson," Mayorkas said.

Mayorkas acknowledged Johnson's family, saying "when one serves, the family serves," and also honored "all those past and present who have made and continue to make the Department as great as it is," according to the transcript. Johnson's family, Dr. Susan DiMarco, their children Natalie and Jeh Jr., as well as former DHS Secs. Michael Chertoff (2005-2009) and John Kelly 2017), and others, attended the event, according to the DHS report.

Johnson, in his remarks, said he "had the good fortune of a terrific leadership team" at DHS, and called the portrait ceremony "the capstone" of his career at DHS and in Washington, including as the general counsel for both the Departments of Defense and the Air Force.

“I used to take special pride when at least one person over the course of a week would say ‘thank you for your service’," Johnson said at the ceremony, "so I want to thank all of you who work here today, from Secretary Mayorkas on down, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do to protect our Homeland and thank you for your service.”

The official portrait, painted by Robert A. Anderson, will be displayed at the Office of the Secretary at DHS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.