Yesterday, senior officials from the White House, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security participated in the first Council of Governors meeting under the Biden Administration to discuss upcoming initiatives and priorities. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas provided opening remarks along with the Co-Chairs of the Council of Governors, Governor Mike DeWine (OH) and Governor Tim Walz (MN). The Council of Governors members also heard updates on cybersecurity, disaster preparedness, readiness and response efforts, support for military families, and National Guard initiatives from Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Gilbert Cisneros, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense Jennifer Walsh, Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Mara Karlin, and White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Julie Rodriguez.
On January 11, 2010, President Obama issued an Executive Order establishing the Council of Governors as a mechanism for state and federal officials to discuss issues on national security, homeland defense, cybersecurity, disaster response and recovery, integration of state and federal military activities, as well as matters of mutual interest pertaining to the National Guard and civil support activities.
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 Gretchen Whitmer (MI)
- Governor Kate Brown (OR)
- Governor Bill Lee (TN)
- Governor Spencer Cox (UT)
- Governor Phil Scott (VT)
- Governor Mark Gordon (WY)
