Reforming the Homeland Security Department is Unlikely

Abstract

Ivan Eland argues that reforming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is unlikely due to poor incentive structures and political pressures. Despite Secretary Michael Chertoff's admission of intelligence failures and his pledge to prioritize risk-based funding, DHS continues to focus more on responding to attacks rather than preventing them. This is largely due to powerful local lobbies and Congressional representatives pushing for funds to improve local services under the guise of homeland security. Furthermore, the massive size and complexity of DHS, formed from 22 federal agencies, hinder effective intelligence sharing. Eland suggests that without genuine incentives for change, the imbalance and inefficiencies within DHS are likely to persist, potentially leading to another major security failure.