Governor Josh Stein this week announced the appointment of Jeff Smythe as senior advisor for homeland security and released the following statement:“Jeff Smythe is a dedicated public servant and decorated law enforcement leader who has spent his 40-year career focused on keeping people safe. That’s why I nominated him to serve as Secretary of the Department of Public Safety more than seven months ago. “The people of North Carolina are safer when proven and talented public servants like Jeff are empowered to lead. So today, I am appointing him to be my senior advisor for homeland security in the Governor’s Office and am withdrawing his nomination as Secretary. Politics should never get in the way of our work to create a safer, stronger North Carolina.