From December 2003 to 2004, following his retirement, he held a leading position in the
Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).[6][5][7] Kellogg was asked to serve as Chief Operating Officer for the CPA in
Baghdad, the transition government of
Iraq, after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of that country and the signing of
Coalition Provisional Authority Order 2 which disbanded the Iraqi Army.[8] During this time, Kellogg, with a reputation as an "expediter" known for cutting through red tape, was tasked with ensuring speed and discipline during the massive reconstruction process.[9] Following his service with the CPA, Kellogg was awarded the
Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
Kellogg was named a foreign policy advisor to then-presidential candidate
Donald Trump in March 2016.[12] Trump put Kellogg in charge of the
presidential transition agency action team for defense.[13] On December 15, 2016, it was announced that Kellogg would be appointed Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary of the
United States National Security Council by President-elect
Donald Trump.[14]
On February 13, 2017, following the resignation of
National Security AdvisorMichael Flynn, Keith Kellogg became the Acting
National Security Advisor in the interim of a permanent replacement being appointed.[15][1] President Trump interviewed Kellogg and three others to determine who permanently to fill the position of National Security Advisor.[16][17] The position ultimately went to
H. R. McMaster.[18]
In April 2018, Vice President
Mike Pence chose Kellogg to serve as his national security advisor.[19][20][21] According to the White House, Kellogg would continue to serve as an assistant to Trump.[22][23]
During the
Trump–Ukraine scandal which led to Trump's impeachment (and subsequent acquittal), Kellogg said he "heard nothing wrong or improper" in Trump's call with the Ukrainian president.[24]
During the
2021 United States Capitol attack Kellogg defended Pence's decision not to leave the Capitol. While the Secret Service was attempting to get Pence to ride to a safer place, Pence insisted on staying. Kellogg reportedly told
Anthony Ornato, former Secret Service and at the time
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, why Pence would not be evacuated, “You can’t do that, Tony. Leave him where he’s at. He’s got a job to do. I know you guys too well. You’ll fly him to Alaska if you have a chance. Don’t do it.” Kellogg made it clear that Pence would stay, even if he needed to remain all night."[26] Kellogg is viewed as a "key witness" in the
United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack because he was with Trump in the White House as the attack occurred. Kellogg testified under oath to the committee in December 2021,[27] telling them that the president's staff encouraged the president to take immediate action to quell the unrest, but that he refused.[28]
Personal life
Kellogg is the second oldest of four children. His older brother,
Mike Kellogg, is a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge. His sister, Kathy, is a former actress who is now a clinical psychologist and his younger brother, Jeff, is a former Long Beach city councilman, served as President of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees, and now currently works for the California Community College system.[29][30]
Kellogg married his wife, Paige, in 1980. Paige is a former U.S. Army officer and paratrooper who served during the 1983
U.S. invasion of Grenada.[5] Together, they have three children.
Awards and decorations
Silver Star Citation
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph Keith Kellogg, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation EAGLE THRUST in the Republic of Vietnam. During an air assault, Lieutenant Kellogg pulled a wounded man from a fire line, then went on to attack an enemy bunker system with a machine gun. Running down the line, he destroyed five enemy bunkers with hand grenades. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Action Date: Vietnam War
Service: Army
Division: 101st Airborne Division
Kellogg's major decorations and badges include:[31]