Cardell Richardson

Jackie Taylor

​

(m. 1977)​

Cardell Richardson
Official portrait, 2024
17th Inspector General of the Department of State
In office May 20, 2024 –January 24, 2025
Children	2
Education	McKinley Technology High School Howard University (BArch) Webster University (MPA) National Defense University (MSc)
Occupation	Government official military officer
Awards	Presidential Rank Award (2)
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1977–2003
Rank	Colonel

Cardell Kenneth Richardson (born March 1954) is an American government official and retired United States Air Force colonel who served as the 17th Inspector General of the Department of State.

Early life and education

Cardell Kenneth Richardson was born in March 1954 in Washington, D.C. ^[1] He is the son of Charles Franklin Richardson, a government official who migrated from North Carolina to Washington, D.C. in the 1940s, and Mary Bernetta Parker Richardson, a Washingtonian government employee. ^[2] He has at least three siblings. ^[2] His father died when he was 11 years old. ^[1] He attended Terrell Junior High School before going to study at McKinley Technology High School. ^[1]

Richardson holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Webster University, and a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University. ^[2] He has also attended the Harvard Kennedy School and the Kellogg School of Management. ^[2]

Career

Richardson served in the United States Air force for 26 years between 1977 and 2003, obtaining the rank of Colonel. ^{[2] [3]}

Richardson worked in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for over two decades, including as the Inspector General. ^[3]

Richardson was appointed a Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service in July 2003, after he had retired from the air force. ^{[2] [4]}

In July 2023, ^[5] President Joe Biden nominated Richardson to be the Inspector General of the Department of State. ^{[6] [7] [8]} His appointment was confirmed by the Senate on May 2, 2024 and he took office on May 20. ^[9]

On January 24, 2025, he was fired by President Donald Trump along with several other inspectors general, although the legality of the firings remains under question. ^[10]

Personal life

Richardson married Jackie Taylor in 1977, and they have two children together. ^[2] He has previously lived in South Korea and Germany. ^[1]

Richardson has received the Presidential Rank Award twice. ^[3]

References

1. "Episode #3 transcript - Cardell Richardson – Asbury UMC DC Oral Histories podcast" (PDF). Retrieved August 8, 2024.
2. "Cardell Richardson, Sr. - Cardell Richardson, Sr. interview image" . Retrieved August 8, 2024.
3. "Opening Statement of Cardell Richardson, Sr. Nominee For Inspector General, U.S. Department of State Senate Foreign Relations Committee, November 16, 2023" (PDF). November 16, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
4. "Biden Nominates NGA Inspector General Cardell K. Richardson, Sr. to Serve as IG at State Department - HS Today". www.hstoday.us. July 26, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
5. "Blinken to see Team USA live at another World Cup". Politico. July 26, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
6. "PN902 — Cardell Kenneth Richardson Sr. — Department of State". Congress.gov. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
7. "Biden roils oversight community with nominations for Ukraine aid watchdogs | Responsible Statecraft". responsiblestatecraft.org. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
8. Weisner, Molly (July 26, 2023). "Biden's watchdog nominees pass over acting IGs at State, USAID". Federal Times. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
9. "Cardell K. Richardson, Sr., U.S Department of State Inspector General". Office of Inspector General.
10. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/25/donald-trump-inspectors-general-firing-00200611