Aside from Pelosi, democratic Senators Mark Warner and Jack Reed also demanded the Acting Inspector General at the Pentagon to investigate Ellis’ appointment.
In their letter to the Pentagon Inspector General in November, the senators wrote, “The combination of timing, comparative lack of experience of the candidate, the reported qualifications of the other finalists, and press accounts of White House involvement create a perception that political influence or considerations may have played an undue role in a merit-based civil service selection process.”
Prior to joining the Trump administration, Ellis served as the head counsel to California Republican Rep. Devin Nunes. He served as a lawyer with the National Security Council, refusing to testify as part of the House’s 2019 impeachment inquiry.
In March 2020, Ellis became the senior director for intelligence on the NSC, joining other Trump loyalists in key intelligence positions.
Both being from California, it’s no wonder Pelosi is concerned with Ellis’s installation and has tried to cast doubt on his credentials.
