Richard Ledgett

Richard H. Ledgett, Jr.
18th Deputy Director of the National Security Agency
Incumbent
Assumed office
2014
President Barack Obama
Preceded by John C. Inglis
Military service
Nickname(s) "Rick"
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Army

Richard Ledgett is the current Deputy Director of the National Security Agency.[1]

Biography

Ledgett has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a graduate degree in strategic intelligence. He began working for the National Security Agency in 1988, where he served in a variety of positions in the cybersecurity division. From 2012 to 2013, he was the Director of NSA Threat Operation Center. From June 2013 to his appointment as Deputy Director in January 2014, Ledgett headed the investigation of leaks regarding NSA surveillance programs made by Edward Snowden.[2] During this time he argued for amnesty for Snowden in exchange for the return of the remaining classified documents still in his possession.[3]

Statements Regarding NSA Surveillance

Ledgett has pledged increased transparency regarding NSA operations. However, he has defended the operations of the NSA and argued in a rare interview with Reuters that NSA operations are completely legal.[4] Ledgett has also accused the media of sensationalizing reports about various NSA mass surveillance programs.[5]

In March 2014, Ledgett stated during a TED Talk that the NSA operates legally. He further argued that President James Madison would be proud of the way in which Constitutional checks and balances have governed NSA mass surveillance.[6]

Awards and decorations

NSA Exceptional Civilian Service Medal

References

  1. ↑ "2014 Press Release - NSA's New Deputy Director". Nsa.gov. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  2. ↑ "Biography Deputy Director of the NSA - NSA/CSS". Nsa.gov. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  3. ↑ "NSA official in charge Edward Snowden task force says U.S. should consider granting him AMNESTY in exchange for the 1.5 million classified documents still in his possession | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  4. ↑ Zakaria, Tabassum (2013-12-13). "Exclusive: After 'cataclysmic' Snowden affair, NSA faces winds of change". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  5. ↑ Bercovici, Jeff (2014-03-20). "At TED, NSA's Deputy Director Says 'President Madison Would've Been Proud'". Forbes. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  6. ↑ Bercovici, Jeff (2014-03-20). "At TED, NSA's Deputy Director Says 'President Madison Would've Been Proud'". Forbes. Retrieved 2014-03-22.