On Wednesday, July 13, senior officials from the White House, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security participated in the 25th plenary meeting of the Council of Governors and the second plenary meeting under the Biden-Harris Administration to discuss homeland defense and security priorities. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kath Hicks, Assistant to the President Julie Chavez Rodriguez, and Special Assistant to the President Caitlin Durkovich provided opening remarks along with the Co-Chairs of the Council of Governors, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The Council of Governors members received updates on cybersecurity, disaster preparedness, workforce development, and support for military families. The Council also received an overview of the National Defense Strategy from Assistant Secretary Melissa Dalton, an update on preparedness for the 2022 disaster season from FEMA Administrator Criswell, and information on the strategic guidelines for the Department of Defense Fiscal year 2024 program from Under Secretary of Defense McCord. Finally, Director Aylward provided an overview of the progress made on the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War commemoration efforts.
Participants from the Council of Governors included:
- Governor Tim Walz (MN), Co-Chair of the Council of Governors
- Governor Mike DeWine (OH), Co-Chair of the Council of Governors
- Governor John Carney (DE)
- Governor John Bel Edwards (LA)
- Governor Gretchen Whitmer (MI)
- Governor Kate Brown (OR)
- Governor Spencer Cox (UT)
- Governor Phil Scott (VT)
- Governor Mark Gordon (WY)
