Final answer:
The Department of Homeland Security was established in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, authorized by the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Designed to consolidate various agencies to better manage domestic threats, its efficiency was tested by Hurricane Katrina and adjustments have continued over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Formation of the Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Under the administration of President George W. Bush, the Homeland Security Act was passed by Congress in 2002, thereby authorizing the creation of DHS. This federal agency consolidated numerous government functions and agencies to improve the United States' ability to prevent and respond to domestic threats.
One of the significant organizational changes included bringing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under its auspices. However, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it was clear that some agencies within the DHS still faced challenges with coordination and response. This illustrates the ongoing process of refining domestic security and disaster response under the central federal authority of the DHS.
The formation of DHS also led to other security-focused legislation and agencies, including the USA Patriot Act and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), further emphasizing federal power in national security matters since the turn of the century.