Michael Austin Needham (born December 22, 1981)[1] is an American political advisor who is the 37th and current Counselor of the Department of State.
[3] Described as "ambitious and hard-working," within six months he was promoted to be chief of staff to Heritage Foundation president Edwin Feulner.
[3] The New York Times described Needham as "a leading practitioner of the uncompromising, scorched-earth style of political combat that was a trademark of Tea Party-inspired politicians and activists.
[2] He was described as a major opponent of "the establishment" and The Washington Post noted that he "stok[ed] fear in Republicans long before Donald Trump.
[5] He served five years as Rubio's chief of staff before departing in June 2023 to found America 2100, a think tank which Needham then became president of.