Mike is the Executive Director of the Heritage Oversight Project. Launched in January 2022, the Oversight Project is Heritage’s investigative and oversight arm. The Oversight Project utilizes Heritage’s world-class issue area experts to inform strategic records requests, targeted litigation, and innovative investigations utilizing cutting-edge resources and contacts. The work is primarily intended to drive successful federal, state, and local oversight and accountability of the destructive work of the radical, progressive Left. Successful oversight means shaping successful policy victories.

Mike joined The Heritage Foundation in October 2018 from the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the General Counsel, where he was the Chief Legal Point of Contact for the department’s 3,000-lawyer office for all congressional oversight and investigations. Prior to joining the Trump administration, he was on Capitol Hill for five years as an attorney for both the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the House Oversight Committee. During this time, he worked under Senator Ron Johnson, Chairman of House Oversight Jason Chaffetz, and Subcommittee for National Security Chairman Ron DeSantis.

While on the Hill, he led national security investigations into various Obama administration controversies, including security failures at the U.S. Secret Service, corruption at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General (which resulted in the resignations of two Acting Inspector Generals, on two separate occasions), and the handling of overseas terrorism incidents. Prior to this, he worked in Atlanta Immigration Court, for both Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorneys and then Immigration Judges from the Executive Office for Immigration Review. 

At Heritage, Mike previously served as the liaison to the Trump Administration and later as a Senior Advisor for Government Relations in the 117th Congress. He is frequently quoted and writes on matters of immigration, border security, and congressional oversight. He is a graduate of Duke University and Emory Law School and an Alexandria, Virginia native.