Judge Michael Chertoff (L) was nominated by President George W. Bush to be the new head of the Homeland Security Department during a brief announcement ceremony in the White House, Jan. 11. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

US President George W. Bush nominated federal appeals court judge Michael Chertoff on Tuesday as the new chief of the Homeland Security Department to succeed the department's first secretary Tom Ridge.

Chertoff was "a key leader in the war on terror" and "has shown a deep commitment to the cause of justice and an unwavering determination to protect the American people," Bush said in a statement at the White House.

Chertoff, as a former federal prosecutor at the Justice Department's criminal division from 2001 to 2003, played a key role in forming the department's anti-terror policies after the Sept. 11 attacks. He was later named by Bush to a appeals court position in New Jersey.

Chertoff was Bush's second choice for the job. Former New York City police chief Bernard Kerik withdrew his nomination last month, citing immigration problems with a family housekeeper.

With Tuesday's nomination, Bush has completed the formation of his second-term 15-member cabinet.