Matthew Olsen is a distinguished American attorney with a remarkable career in national security and law enforcement. He began his professional journey as a law clerk for District Court Judge Norma Holloway Johnson, which laid the foundation for his legal expertise. In 1992, he joined the Department of Justice as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division, where he honed his skills in litigation and advocacy. His commitment to justice led him to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where he served as a federal prosecutor and became the first director of the National Security Section from 2004 to 2005.

In 2006, Olsen was appointed by President George W. Bush as the Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the National Security Division, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing intelligence operations and enhancing collaboration between the intelligence community and federal prosecutors. His leadership was instrumental in the establishment of the National Security Division, and he later served as the acting director of the division in 2009. Olsen’s expertise was further recognized when he was appointed by Attorney General Eric Holder to lead the Guantanamo Review Task Force, which evaluated the legal status of detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

Olsen’s most notable role came when he was nominated by President Barack Obama as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center in 2011. During his tenure, he was responsible for coordinating national counterterrorism efforts and enhancing the nation’s security posture against evolving threats. He left this position in 2014, having made significant contributions to the field of counterterrorism.

In 2021, Olsen was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division, reaffirming his status as a leading figure in national security law. His extensive experience and dedication to public service have made him a respected authority in the legal community, and he continues to influence national security policy and practice.