AFPI Names New Co-Chair of Its Center for American Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) named Robert Wilkie, former Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and, former Under Secretary of the Department of Defense, as the new Co-Chair of AFPI’s Center for American Security. Wilkie currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow for the Center for American Security. He is a lecturer, a Senior National Security Media Analyst, and a Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve.

Wilkie joins Lt. Gen (Ret.) Keith Kellogg, who serves as Co-Chair of the Center for American Security. General Kellogg has been selected by President Trump to be Special Envoy to Ukraine and Russia and is expected to formally join the Trump Administration soon.

“It has been an honor to be a part of the America First movement over the last several years. I am grateful for this new opportunity to lead alongside such an inspiring warrior and statesman, General Kellogg. Together, we will proudly fight for our Nation’s heroes, and we will work every day to put America’s warriors and America’s interests first,” said Robert Wilkie.

“We are thrilled to announce Robert Wilkie as our new Co-Chair of the Center for American Security. America faces unique and troubling challenges ahead and new dangers that require strong leadership and well-equipped individuals to address these ever-growing issues,” said Chad Wolf, AFPI Executive Director and Chair of the Center for Homeland Security & Immigration. “Robert Wilkie has the expertise, experience, and leadership to help tackle our Nation’s greatest threats. We are excited for him to build on the incredible work that General Kellogg has set in place over the last several years.”

During his tenure at AFPI, Kellogg played a pivotal role as a prominent voice in national media, highlighting the national security challenges facing the U.S. and shedding light on the foreign policy shortcomings of the Biden Administration. He co-authored An America First Approach to National Security, one of AFPI’s key policy books, and led an AFPI delegation to Israel, where he engaged with senior Israeli officials about the ongoing conflict with Hamas. These are just a few of his many significant contributions. After his service in the Trump Administration, General Kellogg will return to the America First Policy Institute, the home of current and future America First leaders.

About the Honorable Robert Wilkie:

The Honorable Robert Wilkie spent his youth at Fort Sill and Fort Bragg, and currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow in the Center for American Security at AFPI. Wilkie was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the tenth Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). He was confirmed by the United States Senate after previously serving as the acting Secretary of VA. Before confirmation as VA Secretary, Wilkie was the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. In that role, Wilkie served as the principal advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense for Total Force Management as it relates to readiness, National Guard and Reserve component affairs, health affairs, training, and personnel requirements and management, including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, recreation, and the quality of life for military families. He also previously served as Assistant Secretary of Defense and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Wilkie is a Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve. He holds an Honors degree from Wake Forest University, a Juris Doctor from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans, a Master of Laws in international and comparative law from Georgetown University, and a master’s in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. A graduate of the College of Naval Command and Staff, Air Command and Staff College, the United States Army War College, and the Joint Forces Staff College, Wilkie has published many articles. Wilkie also serves as Senior National Security Analyst for Newsmax Television. He holds personal and unit decorations, as well as the Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest noncareer civilian award of the Department.