President Trump Taps Seven Nixon Seminar Members for Key Positions

Seven members of the Nixon Seminar on National Security and Conservative Realism have been tapped for senior roles in the Trump Administration, showcasing the seminar’s influence on national security policy.

Nixon Seminar Co-chair Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien currently sits on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB). In this role, Ambassador O’Brien provides counsel to President Trump on critical security challenges, ensuring the Intelligence Community aligns with the administration’s agenda.

Jim Byron, President and CEO of the Nixon Foundation since 2021, serves as Senior Advisor to Acting Archivist and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Byron is taking a leave of absence from the Foundation while the administration seeks a permanent Archivist.

U.S. Representative Michael Waltz serves as National Security Advisor, working as President Trump’s principal advisor on all national security matters.

Alex Wong serves as Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, supporting Waltz in shaping and executing the administration’s security strategy.

Elbridge Colby, a leading voice for a realist foreign policy, has been appointed Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Colby, a key figure in developing the 2018 National Defense Strategy, will focus on prioritizing resources to counter strategic threats.

Monica Crowley, a prominent conservative voice and former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, has been named Assistant Secretary of State and Chief of Protocol. Having worked as an aide to President Nixon earlier in her career, she will bring a unique historical perspective alongside her diplomatic experience to the State Department.

Morgan Ortagus, a seasoned national security expert and former State Department spokesperson, serves as Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Peace, working to advance stability and U.S. interests in the region.

All 30 Nixon Seminars, featuring these leaders and more, are available to watch here:

Congratulations to all seven appointees as they step up to serve our nation!