President-elect Trump has selected former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official Chad Mizell to be the next chief of staff at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Mizell, an ally of incoming White House chief of staff Stephen Miller, will work with the president-elect's pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Saturday.
He previously served as Deputy General Counsel and Chief of Staff for DHS. Prior to this role, Mr. Mizell served as Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice.
President Trump said, “During my first term, Chad served as general counsel and chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security, where he helped secure our borders and stop the flow of illegal drugs and foreign nationals into our country.'' ” he said. “Chad is a MAGA warrior and will help restore accountability, integrity, and justice to the Department of Justice.”
According to his LinkedIn, Mr. Mizell is the chief legal officer of Affinity Partners, an investment firm founded by President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. He received his J.D. from Cornell University School of Law. Mizell's wife, Kathryn Kimball Mizell, is a federal judge in Florida appointed by the president-elect.
Separately from Mizell, President Trump announced another key Justice Department pick on Saturday, appointing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)'s current chief of staff to head the Office of Law and Policy (OLP) next month. He nominated Aaron Reitz, a public official.
“Aaron will lead OLP to advance my law and order agenda and develop and execute the Department of Justice’s battle plan to restore the health of our justice system. I will be working with Mr. Bondi,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Saturday.
Prior to joining the Senate, Mr. Wrights served as an aide to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Immediately after Trump's announcement, Cruz took to social media to praise his chief of staff and congratulate the president on his selection.
“Aaron has faithfully, diligently and tirelessly guided my staff in Washington, D.C. and throughout the state of Texas. He has an extensive record of fighting for justice, the Constitution and the rule of law.” and Mr. Cruz said Saturday X. “He will serve President Trump, AG Bondi, and the Department of Justice well and support their mission to restore integrity, transparency, and honor to one of our nation's most important institutions.”
