Chertoff sidesteps queries about attorney general job

Despite an open opportunity on Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff did not dispel rumors that he is in discussions with the White House to replace Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Intense speculation surfaced late last month when Gonzales announced his resignation that President Bush will tap Chertoff to become attorney general, returning him to the Justice Department where he served from 2001 to 2003 as head of the criminal division. Most of his experience has been in law enforcement, as he also served as a federal appeals judge.

Appearing at his first public hearing since the rumors arose, Chertoff deflected questions on the subject from House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.

Thompson asked Chertoff if he plans to remain at Homeland Security for the duration of the Bush administration. "I ask this question not to put you on the spot but rather to gain some clarity on the future picture of this department," Thompson said.

He added: "As you may know, in a July report, committee staff found that nearly one-quarter of the senior leadership positions located in the Department of Homeland Security are vacant. To make matters worse ... the department has failed to provide Congress programs, plans and reports that are absolutely critical to securing [the] homeland."

Chertoff said "it would be presumptuous" for him to speak for Bush or to discuss his conversations with the White House. He declined to comment further.

A spokesman for Chertoff told Technology Daily later: "Secretary Chertoff serves at the pleasure of the president and has repeatedly said that he is pleased with his current job."

Chertoff said he has had discussions with other senior Homeland Security officials about their intention to stay through the rest of the administration. He said he is "confident" senior staff will stay on "subject to limitations of presidential pleasure and God's willingness."

Members of the committee peppered Chertoff with questions and concerns about the department's ability to meet deadlines for a myriad of programs.

Chertoff listed a series of upcoming timelines for several programs. He said, for example, the department will issue a proposed rule by the end of the year requiring airlines to install a system that uses biometrics to track when foreigners leave the country by air. The airline industry has expressed major opposition to the effort. "I think it's going to be one of these issues that are going to test our commitment to security," Chertoff said.

He also said the department will have constructed 145 miles of fencing along the southern border by the end of September, with the intention of ultimately building 370 miles. He added that the department plans to begin operational testing of the first phase of the so-called SBInet border security program "in about a month." The first phase covers 28 miles in Arizona.

Chertoff further said the department will begin installing an updated system at 10 U.S. airports this fall to capture 10 fingerprints of foreigners coming into the country.