The House Speaker noted reports indicating that Ellis was chosen over more qualified candidates and was involved in highly questionable activities.
“The NSA General Counsel…is a highly sensitive career position for which candidates are selected, based on merit and free from political influence. If Mr. Ellis did go through the traditional civil service hiring process, I request a detailed account of the process, to understand how someone with his credential was chosen over other qualified candidates,” wrote Pelosi to Miller.
She also stated, “The circumstances and timing – immediately after President Trump’s defeat in the election – of the selection of Mr. Ellis, and this eleventh-hour effort to push this placement in the last three days of this Administration are highly suspect. Further, the efforts to install him or “burrow” him into a highly sensitive intelligence position 72 hours prior to the beginning of a new Administration manifest a disturbing disregard for our national security. Therefore, this placement should not move forward.”
