Aaron Reitz
Aaron Reitz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy | |
| In office March 31, 2025 – June 11, 2025 | |
| President | Donald J. Trump |
| Preceded by | Susan Davies (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Aaron Francis Reitz May 22, 1987 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Texas A&M University (BS) University of Texas, Austin (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service |
|
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Marine Corps Achievement Medal Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan Global War on Terrorism Service Medal National Defense Service Medal |
Aaron Francis Reitz (born May 22, 1987) is an American attorney who served as the Assistant Attorney General for the United States Department of Justice's Office of Legal Policy from March 2025 until his resignation in June 2025.[1] He previously served as the Chief of Staff to Senator Ted Cruz and Texas Deputy Attorney General office.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Reitz was born on May 22, 1987[where?].[3] He moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2000 and attended Barbara Bush Middle School and Ronald Reagan High School. In 2009, he graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. While at A&M, Reitz was a member of the Corps of Cadets, achieving the rank of Cadet Colonel. He was a recipient of a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship. In 2017, he graduated from the University of Texas School of Law with a Juris Doctor.[3]
Career
[edit]After graduating from Texas A&M University, Reitz commissioned as a United States Marine Corps Officer and served in active duty for nearly five years.[4] During his active duty, Reitz deployed to the Helmand Province, Afghanistan.[5] Reitz is currently a Major in Marine Corps Reserve, having earned the rank of Major in September 2020.[3] From 2017 to 2018, Reitz worked as an associate attorney at Bracewell LLP in Houston, Texas.[3] Reitz then clerked for Justice Jimmy Blacklock on the Supreme Court of Texas.[4]
In 2020, Reitz ran unsuccessfully for the Texas House of Representatives, placing fourth in the Republican primary for district 47, with 15% of the vote.[6]
From 2020 to 2023, Reitz served as the Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy in the Office of the Texas Attorney General.[3] During this time, Reitz was also a Senior Advisor on Ken Paxton's 2022 re-election campaign.
After leaving the Texas AG's office, Reitz was employed as chief of staff to Senator Ted Cruz.[7] He was nominated for the role of Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy by President Donald Trump, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 52-46 on March 26, 2025.[8] He was sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi on March 31, 2025.[9]
On June 11, 2025, Reitz announced his resignation from the Department of Justice, and stated his intention to return to Texas. The following day, he announced that he would run for Attorney General of Texas in 2026, seeking to succeed Paxton, who was retiring to run for U.S. Senate.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Reitz and his wife Meredith met in high school. They have four children and reside in Austin, Texas.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ https://x.com/aaron_reitz/status/1932896257716195583
- ^ "Office of Legal Policy". 2 March 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Questionnaire for Non-Judicial Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Aaron Reitz, Chief of Staff, Senator Ted Cruz, United States Senate". The Federalist Society. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ Cruz, Ted (March 26, 2025). "X". Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ "Texas House of Representatives District 47". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
- ^ "Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy". 2 April 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ "PN12-37 — Aaron Reitz — Department of Justice". 26 March 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ Paxton, Ken (March 31, 2025). "Press Release: Attorney General Ken Paxton Congratulates Aaron Reitz on Being Sworn in as Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice". Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ Goldenstein, Taylor (June 12, 2025). "Aaron Reitz, a former Trump DOJ official and Paxton aide, joins the race for Texas AG". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- 1987 births
- Chiefs of staff to United States senators
- Lawyers from Houston
- Living people
- Republican Party (United States) politicians
- Texas A&M University alumni
- Texas Republicans
- United States Marine Corps officers
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
- United States Marine Corps reservists
- University of Texas School of Law alumni