Chad Mizelle

Last updated

Kathryn Kimball
(m. 2016)
Chad Mizelle
Chief of Staff to the United States Department of Justice
Assumed office
January 20, 2025
Education University of Florida (BA)
Cornell University (JD)

Chad R. Mizelle is an American lawyer who has served as chief of staff to the United States Department of Justice since 2025. A member of the Republican party, he served as the acting chief of staff and later general counsel to the United States Department of Homeland Security from 2019 to 2020.

Contents

Education

Mizelle earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor degree from Cornell University. [1]

Career

Mizelle worked for the Gibson Dunn law firm before serving in several positions in the First Trump administration, including in the United States Department of Justice and the White House. [2] [3] From 2019 to 2020, he was the acting chief of staff and later general counsel of the United States Department of Homeland Security. [4] During his tenure, Mizelle was involved in developing and defending border security and deportation policies. [5]

Mizelle was hired by the Jones Day law firm in January 2021. [2] [3] Later in 2021, he was appointed by Florida governor Ron DeSantis to serve on the 13th circuit court judicial nominating commission. [6]

Mizelle also served as a Commissioner on the Florida Elections Commission starting in 2023. [7]

In December 2024, Mizelle was announced by President Donald Trump as the incoming chief of staff to the United States Department of Justice, claiming Mizelle would "help bring accountability, integrity, and Justice back to the DOJ." [5] [8] In September 2025, the DOJ announced that Mizelle would depart from the department early the following month. [9] [10] [11]

Personal life

Mizelle is married to federal judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle. [12]

References

  1. "Governor appoints four lawyers to the Florida Elections Commission". Florida Bar News. The Florida Bar. September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Strom, Roy (January 28, 2021). "Jones Day Hires Trump's Acting Homeland Security GC Mizelle" . news.bloomberglaw.com. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Silber, Clarice (January 28, 2021). "Jones Day Hires Ex-Acting General Counsel Of DHS - Law360" . www.law360.com. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  4. Sands, Geneva (December 2, 2020). "Stephen Miller ally tapped as top Homeland Security attorney". CNN. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Sentner, Irie (December 21, 2024). "Trump taps DHS alum Chad Mizelle as DOJ chief of staff". Politico. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  6. Scheckner, Jesse (September 24, 2021). "Gov. DeSantis taps top Donald Trump admin lawyer for Judicial Nominating Commission". Florida Politics. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  7. https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/governor-appoints-four-lawyers-to-the-florida-elections-commission/
  8. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-president-elect-donald-j-trump-announcing-the-nomination-chad-mizelle-chief
  9. Allen, Mike (September 23, 2025). "Chad Mizelle to leave as DOJ chief of staff". Axios. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  10. Reid, Paula; Rabinowitz, Hannah; Perez, Evan; Gannon, Casey (September 23, 2025). "Attorney general's chief of staff to depart Justice Department following tumultuous few months". CNN. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  11. Penn, Ben (September 24, 2025). "Chad Mizelle to Exit as Justice Department's Chief of Staff". Bloomberg Law News. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  12. "5 things to know about Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, Tampa judge who struck down travel mask mandate". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Adam M. Golodner
Chief of Staff to the United States Department of Justice
2025–present
Incumbent