Keith Kellogg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Keith Kellogg
Kellogg in 2025
United States Special Envoy for Ukraine
Incumbent
Assumed office March 15, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Position established
United States Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia
In office January 20, 2025 – March 15, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Position abolished
National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the States
In office April 27, 2018 – January 20, 2021
Vice President	Mike Pence
Preceded by	Andrea L. Thompson
Succeeded by	Nancy McEldowney
Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff of the United States National Security Council
In office January 20, 2017 – April 27, 2018
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Suzy George
Succeeded by	Frederick H. Fleitz
United States National Security Advisor
Acting
In office February 13, 2017 – February 20, 2017
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Michael Flynn
Succeeded by	H. R. McMaster
Personal details
Born	Joseph Keith Kellogg Jr. (1944-05-12) May 12, 1944 (age 81) Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Paige Kellogg
Children	3
Education	Santa Clara University (BA) University of Kansas (MS) United States Army War College
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1967–2003
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	82nd Airborne Division Special Operations Command Europe
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Operation Just Cause Persian Gulf War
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2 with one oak leaf cluster) Bronze Star Medal (5 with a "V" device)

Joseph Keith Kellogg Jr. (born May 12, 1944) is an American diplomat and a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army. A lieutenant general is a very high rank in the military. He has held important roles in the U.S. government.

Kellogg served as the national security advisor to Vice President Mike Pence. He was also a top official for the United States National Security Council during the first Trump administration. Currently, he works as President Trump's special envoy for Ukraine. This means he helps with important discussions and actions related to Ukraine.

Keith Kellogg's Journey

Early Life and Education

Keith Kellogg was born in Dayton, Ohio. He finished high school in 1961. He joined the Army through a program called ROTC at Santa Clara University. He became an infantry officer.

While in the Army, Kellogg continued his education. He earned a master's degree in international affairs from the University of Kansas. He also studied advanced leadership and diplomacy at the United States Army War College.

Military Service and Leadership

Official portrait of Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as J6 to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Kellogg served in the Vietnam War with the 101st Airborne Division. He also worked as a special forces advisor to the Cambodian Army. During this time, he received several awards for his bravery, including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star.

Later, in 1985, Kellogg led a battalion of soldiers. He also commanded a brigade during Operation Just Cause in Panama.

During the Gulf War (1990–1991), Kellogg was a leader in the 82nd Airborne Division. He then commanded the Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). In 1996, he took command of the 82nd Airborne Division.

On September 11, 2001, when the attacks on September 11, 2001 happened, Kellogg was a lieutenant general at the Pentagon. After a plane crashed into the Pentagon, he helped manage the situation from a special command center. He retired from the Army in 2003.

Working in the Private Sector

After leaving the Army, Kellogg worked for Oracle Corporation. From 2003 to 2004, he held a key role in the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq. The CPA was the temporary government in Iraq after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Kellogg was in charge of making sure reconstruction efforts happened quickly and efficiently. For his work, he received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

He also worked for other companies like CACI International Inc. and Cubic Corporation. From 2021 to 2025, he was chairman of the Center for a New American Security at the America First Policy Institute.

Roles in Trump's Administration

Keith Kellogg, Acting National Security Advisor, awaiting the president on Air Force One

In 2016, Keith Kellogg became an advisor for Donald Trump's presidential campaign. After Trump was elected, Kellogg was chosen to be the Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary of the United States National Security Council.

In February 2017, Kellogg briefly served as the Acting National Security Advisor. This happened after the previous advisor resigned.

In April 2018, Vice President Mike Pence chose Kellogg to be his national security advisor. Kellogg also continued to assist President Trump.

During a time when President Trump faced questions about a phone call with the Ukrainian president, Kellogg stated he "heard nothing wrong or improper" in the call. Kellogg spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention in August 2020.

Kellogg was at the White House during the events of January 6, 2021, when people entered the U.S. Capitol building. He supported Vice President Pence's decision to stay at the Capitol. Kellogg later shared that he encouraged President Trump's staff to take action to calm the situation, but the president did not immediately do so.

In June 2024, Kellogg and another former official, Frederick H. Fleitz, presented President Trump with a plan to help end the conflict in Ukraine. Their plan suggested a ceasefire and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. It also proposed continued military aid to Ukraine if they agreed to talks. They were concerned that the conflict was causing too many casualties.

Special Envoy for Ukraine

Working for Peace

In November 2024, President-elect Trump chose Kellogg to be his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. This meant he would work on important diplomatic efforts related to both countries.

However, in February 2025, some of Kellogg's actions led to concerns within the White House. He was criticized for hiring an advisor who was seen as too supportive of Ukraine. He was also not included in a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister. The White House also felt he did not object enough when Ukrainian leaders criticized the Trump administration during a meeting in Kyiv.

Because of these concerns and Russian complaints, Kellogg's role was changed on March 15, 2025. His job became focused only on Ukraine, as the Special Envoy for Ukraine.

Kellogg and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Instabul, Turkey, May 16, 2025

On April 13, 2025, Russia launched a missile attack in Sumy, Ukraine. Kellogg responded by saying the attack was terrible and that the White House was still committed to ending the conflict. He said, "There are scores of civilian dead and wounded. As a former military leader, I understand targeting, and this is wrong."

On June 21, 2025, Kellogg met with the President of Belarus. After his visit, a Belarusian opposition leader and 13 other political prisoners were released from jail.

Personal Life

Keith Kellogg married his wife, Paige, in 1980. She was also a U.S. Army officer and served in the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada. They have three children together.

Keith is the second oldest of four children. His older brother, Mike Kellogg, was a professional American football player. His sister, Kathy, is a clinical psychologist. His younger brother, Jeff, has served on the city council in Long Beach, California.

Awards and Decorations

Keith Kellogg has received many awards for his military service. One of his awards is the Silver Star. He earned it during the Vietnam War for his brave actions. He pulled a wounded soldier to safety and then attacked enemy bunkers by himself. His courage and dedication were highly recognized.

His major awards and badges include: