Lisa Monaco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lisa Monaco
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| 39th United States Deputy Attorney General | |
| In office April 21, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Jeffrey A. Rosen |
| 6th United States Homeland Security Advisor | |
| In office March 8, 2013 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | John O. Brennan |
| Succeeded by | Tom Bossert |
| United States Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division | |
| In office July 1, 2011 – March 8, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | David S. Kris |
| Succeeded by | John P. Carlin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lisa Oudens Monaco
February 25, 1968 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) University of Chicago (JD) |
Lisa Oudens Monaco (born February 25, 1968) is an American lawyer who held important roles in the U.S. government. From 2021 to 2025, she served as the 39th Deputy Attorney General, which is the second-highest position in the Department of Justice. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Before this, Monaco was the Homeland Security Advisor for President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017. In this job, she was the President's main advisor on preventing terrorism. She also worked as an associate deputy Attorney General and later as assistant attorney general for the National Security Division.
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Lisa Monaco's Early Life and Education
Lisa Monaco was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 25, 1968. She grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, and her family has Italian-American roots. She went to the Winsor School in Boston, graduating in 1986.
Monaco then attended Harvard University, where she studied American history and literature. She graduated in 1990 with high honors. After college, she worked as a researcher for a magazine and a healthcare group. From 1992 to 1994, she worked for the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, helping with the Violence Against Women Act under then-chairman Joe Biden.
Monaco continued her education at the University of Chicago Law School. While there, she interned at the White House Counsel's Office and for the United States Department of Justice. She earned her law degree in 1997. After law school, she worked as a law clerk for a judge and then as a counsel to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.
Lisa Monaco's Legal Career
Working as a U.S. Attorney
From 2001 to 2007, Lisa Monaco worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. She was part of a special team that worked on important cases. For her work, she received several awards from the Department of Justice, including the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service, which is the department's highest award.
After this, Monaco became a special advisor to FBI Director Robert Mueller. She later became his chief of staff, helping him manage the FBI's operations until 2009.
Leading the DOJ National Security Division
In 2009, Monaco began focusing on national security issues within the Department of Justice. She became the top aide to the Deputy Attorney General. On July 1, 2011, President Barack Obama appointed her as the assistant attorney general for national security.
In this role, she led the part of the Justice Department that handles major cases involving terrorism and spying. She also approved the use of FISA warrants, which are special court orders used for national security investigations. Monaco also made fighting cyber threats a top priority, creating a network of special prosecutors to handle these cases.
Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor (2013–2017)
On January 25, 2013, President Barack Obama chose Lisa Monaco to be his assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism. This meant she was the President's main advisor on how to prevent terrorism. She took office on March 8, 2013.
In this job, Monaco helped create U.S. policies to stop terrorist threats. She worked to weaken groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). She also led efforts to work with private companies to fight ISIL's online messages and promote different ideas. Monaco also led a big effort to improve how the U.S. government handles hostage situations, making sure families received better support.
Monaco was considered a possible candidate to become the FBI Director in 2013. If chosen, she would have been the first woman to hold that position.
As Homeland Security Advisor, Monaco was also President Obama's chief advisor on cybersecurity. She helped create the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center in 2015, which helps gather and analyze information about cyber threats from other countries. She also helped develop the Cybersecurity National Action Plan, which was a long-term plan for the U.S. government to improve cybersecurity.
During her time in this role, Monaco also managed the United States' response to the Ebola outbreak, making sure the government was ready to prevent its spread.
Private Career After the Obama Administration
After leaving the Obama administration in 2017, Lisa Monaco joined CNN as a national security analyst. In 2019, she became a partner at the international law firm O'Melveny & Myers. There, she helped lead the firm's Data Security and Privacy group, advising big companies like ExxonMobil and Apple Inc.. She also taught at NYU Law School and was a Fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School.
In 2018, Monaco co-wrote an article in Foreign Policy magazine titled "The Next Pandemic Will Be Arriving Shortly." In the article, she urged the U.S. government to get ready for a future pandemic.
Deputy Attorney General (2021–2025)
Nomination
In April 2020, it was announced that Lisa Monaco would help with the process of choosing Joe Biden's running mate for the 2020 presidential election. After Biden won the election, Monaco was considered for several important roles in his new government.
On January 6, 2021, Monaco was nominated to serve as Deputy Attorney General. This is the second most powerful position in the Department of Justice. Many people supported her nomination, including Senator Dick Durbin, who called her "arguably the most qualified individual ever nominated to this position." The Senate confirmed her on April 20, 2021, and she was sworn in the next day.
Her Time as Deputy Attorney General
As Deputy Attorney General, Lisa Monaco has focused on important issues. She has made cybersecurity a top priority, especially fighting ransomware attacks and other cybercrime. In an interview, she said that stopping hackers is key to fighting ransomware. She has also encouraged Congress to pass laws that would make it easier to report cybersecurity breaches.
In 2023, Monaco announced new rules for certain company mergers and acquisitions. These rules encourage businesses to report any wrongdoing they find in companies they are buying. This policy aims to make companies more open about problems they discover.
