David Pekoske

David Peter Pekoske (born May 5, 1955) is an American government official and retired U.S. Coast Guard vice admiral who served as the seventh administrator of the Transportation Security Administration in the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from 2017 to 2025. He served as the acting deputy secretary of homeland security from April to November 2019 and again from January to June 2021. From January 20, 2021, to February 2, 2021, he served as acting secretary of homeland security, during the Senate confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas. Pekoske retired with 33 years of active military service in 2010 as the 26th vice commandant of the Coast Guard.

Early life and education

Pekoske was born in Meriden, Connecticut. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He is a 1989 graduate of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University with a Master of Public Administration degree. Pekoske graduated from the MIT Sloan School of Management with an MBA in 1997.

Vice-commandant Vice Admiral Pekoske served as vice commandant of the United States Coast Guard from August 7, 2009, to May 24, 2010. As second in command to Admiral Thad Allen and COO, Pekoske executed the commandant's strategic intent, managed internal organizational governance and served as the component acquisition executive.

TSA administrator Administrator David Pekoske being ceremonially sworn in at DHS headquarters by Acting Secretary Elaine Duke. leftOn June 5, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that he had nominated Pekoske as the seventh Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

On August 3, 2017, Pekoske was confirmed by the United States Senate as the next TSA administrator. On August 10, 2017, he was sworn in as TSA's seventh administrator. On May 6, 2022, Pekoske was nominated to a second five-year term by President Joe Biden. On September 15, 2022, Pekoske was confirmed by the Senate by a 77–18 vote. In the interim, Pekoske reverted to an acting status.

On January 20, 2025, Pekoske was forced out of office by President Trump.

Acting deputy secretary of homeland security Pekoske as Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security at Super Bowl LV. On April 11, 2019, Pekoske was designated as the senior official performing the duties of the deputy secretary by Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan, making him the acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Pekoske remained the TSA Administrator, but day-to-day operations of TSA were overseen by TSA's acting deputy administrator, Patricia Cogswell.

On November 13, 2019, with the appointment of Ken Cuccinelli as Acting Deputy Secretary, Pekoske returned to his duties as TSA Administrator.

Following Alejandro Mayorkas' confirmation and swearing in as secretary, Pekoske served a second time as acting deputy secretary until the confirmation of the permanent deputy secretary, John Tien.

Acting secretary of homeland security From January 20, 2021, to February 2, 2021, Pekoske was appointed acting secretary of homeland security by President Joe Biden, during the Senate confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas to the role. TSA's executive assistant administrator for security operations.

Awards His personal decorations include, among others, two awards of the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal (2), the Legion of Merit (2), the Meritorious Service Medal (5), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (2), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (4) and the Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon.