Executive Summary
Michael Ellis, who previously served as General Counsel of the National Security Agency during the first Trump administration, was sworn in on 10 February 2025 as the CIA Deputy Director. His appointment was announced by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who praised Ellis as a highly respected figure within the Intelligence Community and one of the nation’s finest national security professionals. John Ratcliffe, the current director of the Agency, expressed enthusiasm for Ellis’s arrival at Langley, highlighting their long-standing professional relationship. [source]
Profile
Early Life and Education
Michael Ellis, a Washington, D.C. native, demonstrated an early passion for both military history and strategy. As a high school student, he wrote a detailed essay on the Battle of Caporetto. This reflected his deep interest in historical analysis. He later attended Yale Law School, earning his Juris Doctor in 2011 and serving as president of the school’s chapter of the Federalist Society. Forbes recognized him on its “30 Under 30” list for law and policy that same year. In addition to his legal education, Ellis served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve.
Government Career
Ellis’s career in public service began with multiple roles during the George W. Bush administration. He then became Chief Counsel to Republican Congressman Devin Nunes, where he played a key role in shaping intelligence policy. During the Trump administration, Ellis served as a legal advisor to the National Security Council (NSC). Later, he was appointed as the Senior Director for Intelligence. In this role, he oversaw the coordination of sensitive intelligence operations. Also, he served as a crucial link between the White House and the intelligence community.
While at the NSC, Ellis reviewed former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s memoir. A process that ultimately led to criminal charges against Bolton. In the Trump administration’s final months, Ellis took on the role of General Counsel at the National Security Agency (NSA). But NSA Director General Paul Nakasone opposed his appointment. Despite initial investigations into the appointment process, a later inquiry found no evidence of improper influence. However, Ellis was placed on administrative leave on 20 January 2021, the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated, and he resigned from the NSA in April of that year.
Private Sector and Return to Government
After his time in government, Ellis transitioned to the private sector. He joined the online video platform Rumble in December 2021 as General Counsel. Moreover, his tenure at Rumble aligned him with the company’s mission to provide an explicitly conservative-leaning alternative to other video platforms, further solidifying his connections to Republican-aligned media and technology networks.
In February 2025, following Donald Trump’s return to office, Ellis was appointed as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, officially assuming the role on 10 February. This appointment reflected his ongoing prominence in national security circles, despite the controversies that have accompanied his career. [source, source, source, source]
