(TheRedWire.com) – Joseph Maher, a senior lawyer at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who also advised the House January 6 committee, has emphasized the importance of enhancing security for future elections to prevent incidents similar to January 6. Maher is leaving DHS to join Nixon Peabody as a partner, where he will focus on national security and guide clients through congressional investigations.
After over two decades in government service dealing with national security, Maher underscored the potential risk of violence in future elections and the need for preparedness. He has experience as a senior counselor to then-Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on the January 6 committee and briefly directed the DHS intelligence unit before the Capitol attack.
Maher advocates for treating events like the January 6 certification as national security special events, granting the Secret Service primary responsibility for security coordination, which would supplement the efforts of the Capitol Police.
He also commented on the House Republicans’ impeachment move against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, labeling it as largely performative. Maher defended Mayorkas as honorable, emphasizing his adherence to immigration laws, a point of contention in political circles, which Maher believes should be resolved through judicial processes.
In his new role, Maher will address congressional inquiries, noting the increasing aggressiveness and politicization of such investigations. He highlighted that this scrutiny is extending beyond government officials to encompass educational institutions and tech companies.
Maher aims to leverage his experience to assist clients in navigating the complexities of congressional investigations, striving for a balance where Congress obtains necessary information without imposing undue risk on entities unrelated to legislative action.
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