Michael Ellis, the lawyer shoved into the position of general counsel by the Trump administration in its waning days, has been placed on administrative leave pending an Inspector General investigation into his appointment, the Washington Post reports.

Ellis, who was placed into the career job at the insistence of Trump’s last acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller even though he was reportedly not the most qualified applicant, has been the subject of controversy throughout the Trump administration.

The former counsel for Republican Congressman Devin Nunes when Nunes was chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Ellis was the deputy counsel for the White House National Security Advisor who reportedly sent classified information to Nunes while Trump was fending off accusations of involvement with Russian agents during the election. 

NSA Director Gen. Paul Nakasone placed Ellis on leave as questions rose about his abrupt placement in the job, with the acting defense secretary demanding Nakasone install Ellis in the position.  Nakasone opposed Ellis’s hiring because, he felt, Ellis would politicize a national security position.

The career position at NSA is not filled by the NSA Director.  The Pentagon General Counsel hires the person to fill the position.  The fact that the acting secretary of defense ordered the NSA director to install Ellis, and the other circumstances of Ellis’s appointment will be investigated by the NSA Inspector General.

Thanks to Ruby for the tip.