Assistant Secretary, Office of Partnership and Engagement
Scott G. Erickson was appointed on January 20, 2025 to serve as the Assistant Secretary in the Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In this role, he and the OPE team lead Departmental efforts to foster collaboration and build partnerships between DHS and external stakeholders, including state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, academic and research institutions, mission driven organizations, the faith-based community, and the private sector.
Scott brings a wealth of experience in public service and policy development to this role. Before his appointment as Assistant Secretary, Scott worked at a prominent public policy think tank, focusing on issues primarily related to law enforcement policy and the justice system. During this time, Scott contributed to developing strategies aimed at enhancing public safety, supporting and upholding the rule of law, and strengthening the law enforcement community.
Previously, Scott served for three years at DHS during the first Trump Administration, where he held various leadership roles including Counselor to the Secretary and as the Department’s Deputy Chief of Staff. In these positions, Scott provided strategic guidance on key initiatives, coordinated interagency efforts, and advised the Secretary and senior leadership on policy matters critical to the Department’s mission.
Earlier in his career, Scott spent nearly two decades as a uniformed police officer in San Jose, California, gaining extensive operational and leadership experience and a deep understanding of the critical role that the law enforcement community plays in maintaining the rule of law and ensuring safe and secure American communities.