FBI veteran cleared to lead Transportation Security Administration

John Pistole is the new administrator of the Homeland Security Department’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Pistole was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on June 25.

To take on the new job, Pistole left his position as deputy director of the FBI, a job he held since 2004. Before that, Pistole worked in the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and was also executive assistant director for counterterrorism and counterintelligence.

Pistole was the Obama administration's third nominee for TSA's top job; the previous two nominees couldn’t make it through the Senate’s confirmation process.

Federal employee unions were pleased with Pistole’s confirmation.

TSA “has been in need of a strong leader in order to fulfill its mission of protecting the security of this nation,” said John Gage, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees.

National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley was already asking for a meeting with Pistole to discuss collective bargaining for TSA employees.