Joshua Simmons
Joshua Bradford Simmons | |
|---|---|
 2025 Official Portrait | |
| General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2026 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Kate Heinzelman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 13, 1982 |
| Education | University of North Carolina University of Virginia |
Joshua Bradford Simmons is an American attorney general who serves as General Counsel for the Central Intelligence Agency.
Early life and education
[edit]Simmons was born in 1982 in Abingdon, Virginia.[1] Simmons received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and earned his JD at the University of Virginia.[2][3]
Career
[edit]Simmons practiced law in major firms including Wiley Rein, Covington & Burling, and Three Crowns.[3][4] Simmons also worked in the State Department's Office of the Legal Advisor.[3] He has spoken at events hosted by the Federalist Society.[5]
In September 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Simmons to serve as General Counsel for the Central Intelligence Agency.[2] The Senate held a hearing on his nomination in October 2025 and he was confirmed in January 2026.[6][7] Prior to Simmons assuming the role, Michael Ellis had been acting as both the Deputy Director and General Counsel of the CIA.[8]
Simmons has also authored Christian young adult novels.[9][10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "QUESTIONNAIRE FOR COMPLETION BY PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE UNITED STATES SENATE Joshua Bradford Simmons" (PDF).
- 1 2 "DCIA Statement on Nomination of Josh Simmons as General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency - CIA". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Edwards, Jane (January 7, 2026). "Joshua Simmons Confirmed as CIA General Counsel". executivegov.com. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Wiley Announces Partner and Counsel Promotions for 2023". wiley.law. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Joshua B. Simmons". The Federalist Society. September 8, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Statement for the Record Senate Select Committee on Intelligence CIA General Counsel Nominee Joshua Simmons" (PDF). October 6, 2025.
- ↑ "DCIA John Ratcliffe Welcomes Josh Simmons as CIA General Counsel Following Senate Confirmation - CIA". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Benen, Steve (October 7, 2025). "Trump-appointed CIA leader makes himself the agency's top legal official". MS NOW. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ "New CIA general counsel defended Israel at UN court, helped negotiate Holocaust treaty". Israel & Jewish News - JNS. January 8, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Christian novelist, prominent lawyer, defender of Israel". israeltoday.co.il. Retrieved May 17, 2026.