A Fighting Chance

HEADNOTE

Michael Chertoff's sharp elbows and keen mind will serve him well as Homeland Security secretary.

When Judge Michael Chertoff, 51, accepted President Bush's nomination to become secretary of the Homeland

Security Department, he relinquished a lifetime appointment to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. That he would willingly exchange his prestigious post, with all its financial and professional security, for what is sure to be a thankless Cabinet position leading one of the most complex, angst-producing agencies in government says much about his personal convictions and ambition.

At his Feb. 2 confirmation hearing, Chertoff said he was honored by the opportunity to lead DHS. "The challenge of our generation has been to defend our country against the evil of terrorism while honoring our fundamental commitment to our liberties and privacy," he said.

As a young prosecutor, Chertoff worked with agents from the former Customs Service and Secret Service. He says he has an appreciation for the challenges they face in fighting terrorism. As assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Criminal Division between June 2001 and June 2003, Chertoff helped craft the administration's legal response to the Sept. 11 attacks.