The NSA told several news outlets on Jan. 17 that it is moving forward with Ellis’s placement, while the Pentagon noted in a statement that not proceeding with a merit-based appointment was unjustified. National Security Agency General Counsel Michael Ellis — a holdover from the Trump administration — is resigning after being placed on indefinite leave by President Biden, per a letter to NSA Director Paul Nakasone obtained by Fox News. He is a visiting fellow for law and technology with the Heritage Foundation's Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies. Michael Ellis was appointed to the position by Donald Trump in November, but NSA Director Gen. Paul Nakasone had put Ellis on administrative leave on … This set off alarm bells among commentators and those familiar with the agency, in part because it comes in the same week in which Trump summarily fired … View Michael Ellis’ profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Michael has 5 jobs listed on their profile. National Security Agency General Counsel Michael Ellis, who was installed by former President Donald Trump during his final days in office, was put … Michael Ellis (born 1984/1985) is an American attorney, Republican political operative, and former government official. National Security Agency general counsel Michael Ellis, who was installed by Trump officials in the final days of the administration, resigned from his … Ellis previously worked in multiple positions in the George W. Bush administration and Trump administration, being called a Donald Trump loyalist. The Pentagon named Ellis to be the NSA's top lawyer, starting a day before President Biden's inauguration on Jan. 19, but the new administration immediately placed him … National Security Agency (NSA) General Counsel Michael Ellis reportedly was placed on administrative leave due to his recent appointment being under investigation by the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General. Michael Ellis, the National Security Agency general counsel who was installed just a day before President Joe Biden took office, is now on administrative … Earlier this week, the Washington Post broke the story that Michael Ellis—a former staffer for Rep. Devin Nunes and current National Security Council (NSC) official—has been selected as general counsel of the National Security Agency. The National Security Agency is “moving forward” to install Michael Ellis, a former GOP political operative and White House official, as the agency’s top lawyer, the agency said Sunday.