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DHS Wraps Up 2 Years During Which It Was Unclear Who Was Actually, Legally In Charge

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: Alejandro Mayorkas, nominee to be Secretary of Homeland Security is sworn in during the confirmation hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on January ... WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: Alejandro Mayorkas, nominee to be Secretary of Homeland Security is sworn in during the confirmation hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on January 19, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo By Bill Clark-Pool/Getty Images) MORE LESS

February 2, 2021 5:48 p.m.

It’s the end of an era at the Department of Homeland Security. After nearly two full years without a Senate-confirmed leader for the top job, DHS is finally whole. The Senate confirmed Alejandro Mayorkas as DHS secretary Tuesday in a 56-43 vote. Mayorkas ended the longest Cabinet vacancy in American history.

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