doi:10.7916/pj3a-xb93Oral history interview with Jeh C. Johnson, 2020Johnson, Jeh Charles, 1957-oral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesPresidents--Transition periods--United StatesNational security--Government policy--United StatesTerrorism--Prevention--United StatesDrone warfare--Laww and legislation--United StatesForeign interference in elections--United StatesForeign interference in elections--RussiaJohnson, Jeh Charles, 1957-Obama, BarackBin Laden, Osama, 1957-2011 AssassinationColumbia University College trusteesGuantánamo Bay Detention Camp Military base closuresDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (U.S.)IS (Organization)United States. Department of DefenseUnited States. Department of Homeland SecurityUnited StatesDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010Jeh Johnson discusses his contributions to the national security policy of the Obama administration, in which he served as general counsel of the Department of Defense from 2009 to 2012, and as secretary of homeland security from 2013 to 2017. Johnson describes the contest within the Obama administration between idealist and pragmatic approaches to national security and foreign policy. He shares stories about important initiatives and events he was closely involved with, including the revision of Bush administration detention protocols; the effort to close the Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp; trials of alleged terrorists; the legality of the use of drones and other precision weapon systems; and the repeal of the Department of Defense's Don't Ask, Don't Tell directive. Johnson also outlines the scope of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and describes efforts to shift the department's counterterrorism focus from foreign-launched attacks to foreign-inspired attacks, particularly after the rise of ISIS. Johnson discusses major issues and initiatives with which he was involved during the course of his tenure at the agency, including the migrant crisis on the southern border during the summer of 2014, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents executive actions, the 2015 hacking of Office of Personnel Management records, and the Countering Violent Extremism program. Also discussed are DHS's cybersecurity capabilities, refugee resettlement efforts, the legal basis of the Osama bin Laden raid, Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, the relationship between DHS and large technology companies, and Johnson's participation in the Trump administration's presidential transition