276 Quotes by Michael Chertoff

I think that the lesson of this hurricane, which we will clearly look at as we go over an after-action evaluation, is going to be very valuable in moving forward. I mean, this was an ultra-catastrophe, but we have to be prepared even for ultra-catastrophes, even things that happen once in a lifetime and once in a generation. So, yes, we will be studying that.

At the end of the day, if we don't give people in any business some sense that they have consistent rules ... then we're creating a regulatory system that is doomed to failure.

You can't fly helicopters in a hurricane. You can't drive trucks in a hurricane.

It is going to be a very difficult process, I think the emotional toll is going to be substantial,

Completing the Border Infrastructure System will strengthen our efforts to reduce illegal entry to the United States. Congress provided us the authority to ensure this project is completed, and I intend to use it,

It is going to be an unhappy number,

These are not people who are larger than life. They took advantage of the fact that something that was unthinkable on September 10 became, unfortunately, all too thinkable on September 11.

Employers and workers alike should be on notice that the status quo has changed ... these enforcement actions demonstrate that this department has no patience for employers who tolerate or perpetuate a shadow economy.

It is going to be about as ugly of a scene as I think you can imagine.