Secretary John F. Kelly: Reflections on Public Service and Hopes for American Democracy

In Episode 6 of The Next 150, we welcome Secretary John F. Kelly, a 45-year Marine Corps veteran who led the U.S. Southern Command.

After retiring as a four-star general in 2016, Sec. Kelly went on to serve as the 5th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and later as White House Chief of Staff under the Trump administration.

We explore Sec. Kelly’s strategies for students on becoming informed voters, emphasizing the need for civil discourse, diverse news sources, and community engagement. Sec. Kelly reflects on his military career, public service, and the shared values that give him hope for the future of American democracy.