Members of Count Every Hero co-hosted an event with the Center for Presidential Transition® to discuss the unique national security vulnerabilities the nation faces during presidential transitions.

Washington, DC — Count Every Hero co-hosted a discussion with the Center for Presidential Transition® to discuss the Center’s new report, “Presidential Transitions are a Perilous Moment for National Security,” and to relay the national security risks present during the transfer of power between presidential administrations.

Count Every Hero members former Secretary of the Navy Sean O’Keefe, former Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera, and Admiral (ret.) Thad Allen joined former Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Management Claire Grady to emphasize that the combination of foreign actors monitoring the transition for vulnerabilities and the competing priorities and personalities of outgoing and incoming administration personnel compounds risk. 

The panelists urged those involved with presidential transitions to put partisanship aside for the sake of the country and the mission of a smooth transition.

“​​Ideas and concepts…. [are] the basis on which people make decisions on who they are going to vote for. But they’re not self-executing. . . You have to figure out a way to actually get the wheels of government turning. . . The American public should expect the competency and ability to govern, not just campaign.”

– Admiral (ret.) Thad Allen

“[A]s you’re doing this transition, there has to be trust, respect, and a close working relationship between those civilian officials who are appointed by the President to be his representative. . . [and] military leaders. . . and they also have to have that respect for the civilian chain of command.”

– Secretary Louis Caldera