James O’Neill Confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services
John Andrew Eisenberg also received Senate confirmation to serve in the Justice Department.
The U.S. Senate today held recorded votes to confirm two individuals nominated by President Donald Trump to serve in the executive branch of government - specifically in the U.S. Departments of Health & Human Services and Justice.
In a 52-43 vote, James O’Neill was confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services. The position has been vacant since January 2025, when Andrea Palm resigned after serving since May 2021.
O’Neill was nominated to this position by Trump in November 2024. He previously worked in HHS during the George W. Bush administration - serving as Director of the Speech and Editorial Division from December 2002 to August 2005, Senior Advisor to the Deputy HHS Secretary from August 2005 to November 2007, and Principal Associate Deputy Secretary of HHS from November 2007 to October 2008.
In the private sector, O’Neill was CEO of the Thiel Foundation from 2009 to 2012, Managing Director of Mithril Capital Management from 2012 to 2019, and CEO of SENS Research Foundation from 2019 to 2021. In 2010, he co-founded Peter Thiel’s Thiel Fellowship.
In a 52-43 vote, John Andrew Eisenberg was confirmed as Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division. The position has been vacant since January 2025, when Matthew G. Olsen resigned after serving since November 2021.
Eisenberg was nominated to this position by Trump in February 2025. His legal career began as Associate Deputy Attorney General from March 2008 to February 2009. From May 2009 to January 2017, he became a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
From January 2017 to January 2021, Eisenberg was a Special Assistant and Deputy Counsel to the President and Legal Adviser to the National Security Council. Since February 2025, he has been Senior Counselor to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
During his tenure in the first Trump term, Eisenberg played a role in the scandal that resulted in Trump’s first impeachment. He ordered a transcript of Trump’s call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be moved to a highly classified server to cover up the inappropriate comments made. He was subpoenaed to testify before the House Intelligence Committee but refused to appear.