Obama picks top DHS intell officer

President Barack Obama plans to nominate Philip Mudd to be the Homeland Security Department’s undersecretary for intelligence and analysis, White House officials announced today.

Mudd would be the department’s top intelligence officer and lead DHS’ efforts to coordinate information sharing with state and local law enforcement officers through fusion centers located across the country. The Office of Intelligence and Analysis belongs to the national intelligence community.

Mudd has been the associate executive assistant director of the FBI's National Security Branch since August 2005, and had a long career in intelligence that has included various positions with the CIA, according to a statement from White House officials.

Meanwhile, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced she was appointing Bart Johnson to be principal deputy undersecretary for intelligence and analysis. Johnson is a former colonel with the New York State Police and has been working in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, according to DHS.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said he looked forward to working with DHS’ new intelligence team.

“Mr. Mudd is a seasoned intelligence professional with an impressive counterterrorism resume,” he said. “Mr. Johnson has been a compelling advocate for the intelligence and information sharing needs of State, local and tribal law enforcement officers nationwide.”

The previous undersecretary was Charles Allen.