Michael Chertoff appeared on CNN's Cuomo Prime Time on January 7 to discuss the escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran. Hours before, Iran had fired ballistic missiles at bases housing US troops in Iraq. Days earlier, the Trump administration launched a drone strike that assassinated one of Iran’s leading military commanders, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

During his appearance on their network, CNN only identified Chertoff as Secretary of Homeland Security under George W. Bush and as co-founder and executive chairman of the Chertoff Group.

Chertoff is also, however, chairman of the board of directors at BAE Systems Inc., an American subsidiary of one of the largest global defense contractors. His work with BAE, which he has been affiliated with since 2010, was never disclosed.