Responses to DHS secretary Napolitano's resignation from around the web

As you might have read on Federal Times or elsewhere on the web, DHS secretary Janet Napolitano announced she was resigning, effective in September. And as the day picks up more prominent people are offering their comments on her tenure:

Below are some snippets:

President Barack Obama:

I want to thank Secretary Napolitano for her outstanding work on behalf of the American people over the last four years. At the Department of Homeland Security, Janet’s portfolio has included some of the toughest challenges facing our country. She’s worked around the clock to respond to natural disasters, from the Joplin tornado to Hurricane Sandy, helping Americans recover and rebuild. Since day one, Janet has led my administration’s effort to secure our borders, deploying a historic number of resources, while also taking steps to make our immigration system fairer and more consistent with our values. And the American people are safer and more secure thanks to Janet’s leadership in protecting our homeland against terrorist attacks. I’ve come to rely on Janet’s judgment and advice, but I’ve also come to value her friendship. And as she begins a new chapter in a remarkable career of public service, I wish her the best of luck.

Tom Carper, D-Del., chairman of the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

For over four years, Janet Napolitano has led the Department of Homeland Security with dedication, expertise, and vision. Her leadership has been instrumental in carrying out the Department’s mission to protect and secure all Americans, and has made us safer as a nation as a result. She led during a time of many challenges to our homeland– from weather-related disasters to threats to our national security – all the while dealing with a constrained fiscal environment. Even though she had one of the toughest jobs in government, she helped build one cohesive Department of Homeland Security. I’d like to sincerely thank her for her selfless service throughout her role as Secretary and her decades of public service, including her time as Governor of the state of Arizona.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Janet Napolitano has served our nation with honor over the last four years as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security – one of the toughest and most thankless jobs in Washington. We have had our share of disagreements during her time as Secretary, but I have never doubted her integrity, work ethic or commitment to our nation’s security. The people of Arizona can be very proud of our former Governor’s service, and I wish her all the best as she assumes leadership of the nation’s largest public university system.

Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.

Secretary Napolitano’s tenure at the Department of Homeland Security was defined by a consistent disrespect for the rule of law. The resignation of Secretary Napolitano should refocus the attention of Congress on its first task: to ensure that the executive branch faithfully carries out the laws of the land. The most significant obstacle to immigration reform remains President Obama’s selective enforcement of the law. Any selection—interim or permanent—to replace Secretary Napolitano must disavow these aggressive non-enforcement directives or there is very little hope for successful immigration reform.