THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to Keynote 2024 Hagel Lecture
With his experience overseeing U.S. election systems and keen understanding of border issues, Johnson will bring important insights into foreign and domestic threats to democracy in his conversation hosted by CPOST.
By Sarah Steimer
This year’s Hagel Lecture, to be held April 26, will feature former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson in a discussion that will explore the challenges facing democracy in the United States and around the world. For the third installment of the annual lecture series, Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel will discuss these issues with Johnson, in an event moderated by Prof. Robert Pape, Director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats.
As this year’s keynote speaker, Johnson will tap his experience as DHS secretary overseeing the security of U.S. election systems, both in terms of individual states and localities, as well as its protection from domestic and foreign interference. He was also deeply involved with issues related to the border, and has specific recommendations about how to improve border security that are new and novel. The conversation will expand beyond America’s borders to include the growing conflict between authoritarianism and democracy around the world.
Prior to serving as Secretary of Homeland Security from 2013 to 2017, Johnson was the General Counsel of the Department of Defense (2009-2012), General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force (1998-2001), and an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (1989-1991). He’s an experienced litigator and trial lawyer, and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Currently working at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Johnson is also co-chair of the firm's Cybersecurity & Data Protection practice, and advises high-tech companies, private equity firms and government contractors on the legal aspects of cybersecurity, national security, data privacy, government relations, crisis management, high-stakes litigation, and regulatory matters.
While the event will be held at the David Rubenstein Forum, it will also be available for online streaming. As with last year’s event, the lecture will also be live streamed in collaboration with West Point for military personnel. Both in-person and virtual attendance is free.
“This event is important because it also shows the reach of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats — that we can be a hub for important conversations about national security that matter globally, that matter across the country, and that emanate from the University of Chicago,” Pape says.
As CPOST aims to extend its reach beyond Chicago and the Midwest, it also established the Hagel Advisory Council, a group of top business leaders and entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the national security challenges facing the U.S. and the world. Members meet regularly with CPOST research staff and current and past government officials to discuss national security challenges. In addition the Hagel Advisory Council helps underwrite the Hagel Lecture Series.
While previous lectures focused on U.S. foreign policy with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 2019 and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul in 2023, this year’s discussion will have the added dimension of a presidential election year.
“This is the most important election, in November 2024, for the future of our democracy,” Pape says. “And that includes not just who wins, but also the possibility of violence. This is a prime opportunity to discuss these issues about the future of democracy at home and abroad with some of the best minds that we could possibly bring to this conversation in the country.”