Joshua Simmons

Joshua Bradford Simmons
2025 Official Portrait
General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2026
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byKate Heinzelman
Personal details
Born (1982-07-13) July 13, 1982 (age 44)
Abingdon, Virginia
EducationUniversity of North Carolina
University of Virginia

Joshua Bradford Simmons is an American attorney general who serves as General Counsel for the Central Intelligence Agency.

Early life and education

Simmons was born in 1982 in Abingdon, Virginia. Simmons received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and earned his JD at the University of Virginia.

Career

Simmons practiced law in major firms including Wiley Rein, Covington & Burling, and Three Crowns. Simmons also worked in the State Department's Office of the Legal Advisor. He has spoken at events hosted by the Federalist Society.

In September 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Simmons to serve as General Counsel for the Central Intelligence Agency. The Senate held a hearing on his nomination in October 2025 and he was confirmed in January 2026. Prior to Simmons assuming the role, Michael Ellis had been acting as both the Deputy Director and General Counsel of the CIA.

Simmons has also authored Christian young adult novels.

References

  1. ↑ "QUESTIONNAIRE FOR COMPLETION BY PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE UNITED STATES SENATE Joshua Bradford Simmons" (PDF).
  2. 1 2 "DCIA Statement on Nomination of Josh Simmons as General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency - CIA". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Edwards, Jane (January 7, 2026). "Joshua Simmons Confirmed as CIA General Counsel". executivegov.com. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Wiley Announces Partner and Counsel Promotions for 2023". wiley.law. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Joshua B. Simmons". The Federalist Society. September 8, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Statement for the Record Senate Select Committee on Intelligence CIA General Counsel Nominee Joshua Simmons" (PDF). October 6, 2025.
  7. ↑ "DCIA John Ratcliffe Welcomes Josh Simmons as CIA General Counsel Following Senate Confirmation - CIA". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  8. ↑ Benen, Steve (October 7, 2025). "Trump-appointed CIA leader makes himself the agency's top legal official". MS NOW. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  9. ↑ "New CIA general counsel defended Israel at UN court, helped negotiate Holocaust treaty". Israel & Jewish News - JNS. January 8, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Christian novelist, prominent lawyer, defender of Israel". israeltoday.co.il. Retrieved May 17, 2026.