Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge Announces Resignation

Nov. 30, 2004
Tom Ridge, the Republican governor from Pennsylvania tapped by President George W. Bush shortly after 9/11 to head the then-nonexistent Department of Homeland Security, is slated to announce his resignation on Nov. 30.

Ridge joins other members of Bush's Cabinet – Commerce Secretary Don Evans, Education Secretary Rod Paige, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Attorney General John Ashcroft and Secretary of State Colin Powell – who decided not to serve the president during his second term.

Ridge took office in January 2003 as the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which became the catalyst for the largest reorganization of the federal government since the Department of Defense was created following WW II.

Ridge reportedly told colleagues he might resign after the November election to enter the private sector.

No replacement has been named. All nominees for Cabinet positions must be confirmed by the Senate.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

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