Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who served longer than either of her two predecessors, will step down at the end of today to become the first female president of the University of California.
“It’s challenging; it’s very rewarding. Because the things you do really impact human lives,” she said in an interview with NBC News on Thursday at the department’s headquarters in Washington.
Beginning Saturday, new interim Homeland Security Secretary Randy Beers will take over until President Obama decides on a predecessor.
Obama sought out Napolitano, who served six years as governor of Arizona.
Napolitano is credited with getting rid of the color-coded threat system and introducing body scanners and airport pat-downs, NBC News reported.
She oversaw more than 300 natural disasters and relentless terrorism threats.
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