Previous employment with Liz Cheney led to a ‘sherpa’ losing his position in the Trump transition team
Michael Allen was working to garner support for CIA nominee John Ratcliffe.
TroibNews 
Michael Allen, a seasoned Republican national security expert, was recently removed from his role as the “sherpa” for CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe due to his involvement in hosting a fundraiser for Liz Cheney, as reported by three individuals familiar with the situation.
Allen had organized a fundraiser for Cheney, a prominent critic of Trump, in February 2021, and had already begun coordinating meetings on Capitol Hill for Ratcliffe when he was ousted from his position in recent weeks, according to the sources, which include a transition official.
The transition official, who, along with the others, requested anonymity to discuss internal matters, remarked that Allen performed a “fine job” in his support of Ratcliffe's nomination and noted that his work for the nominee was mostly complete at the time of his departure.
The move appears to indicate ongoing efforts within the president-elect's circle to eliminate Republicans who have backed vocal critics like Cheney, who had voted to impeach Trump and served on the House Jan. 6 committee.
“I was happy to pitch in, Ratcliffe will make a great CIA director and I’m looking forward to President Trump’s term,” Allen stated in a text message to PMG following the publication of the news.
A spokesperson for the transition did not respond to requests for comment.
“There are all sorts of purity tests in this new administration, more so than in the first term,” remarked one of those familiar with Allen's ousting.
At the time of the fundraiser, Cheney was the chair of the House Republican Conference. PMG reported on the fundraiser initially in mid-December. She narrowly survived a vote to remove her from leadership in February 2021, only to be ousted a few months later. Following this, she took on the role of vice chair of the House Jan. 6 committee. The fundraiser had a cost of $5,000 per PAC or $2,500 to personally host, while attendance was set at $1,000, with a host list featuring numerous prominent figures from D.C.
Before his transition to the private sector, Allen had held various roles focusing on legislative affairs, counter-proliferation strategy, and homeland security in the George W. Bush White House, and served as the majority staff director on the House Intelligence Committee. He currently serves as a managing director at the consulting firm Beacon Global Strategies LLC.
Ratcliffe’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled for this Wednesday, and as of now, no Democrats have publicly expressed support for him.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Allen had organized a fundraiser for Cheney, a prominent critic of Trump, in February 2021, and had already begun coordinating meetings on Capitol Hill for Ratcliffe when he was ousted from his position in recent weeks, according to the sources, which include a transition official.
The transition official, who, along with the others, requested anonymity to discuss internal matters, remarked that Allen performed a “fine job” in his support of Ratcliffe's nomination and noted that his work for the nominee was mostly complete at the time of his departure.
The move appears to indicate ongoing efforts within the president-elect's circle to eliminate Republicans who have backed vocal critics like Cheney, who had voted to impeach Trump and served on the House Jan. 6 committee.
“I was happy to pitch in, Ratcliffe will make a great CIA director and I’m looking forward to President Trump’s term,” Allen stated in a text message to PMG following the publication of the news.
A spokesperson for the transition did not respond to requests for comment.
“There are all sorts of purity tests in this new administration, more so than in the first term,” remarked one of those familiar with Allen's ousting.
At the time of the fundraiser, Cheney was the chair of the House Republican Conference. PMG reported on the fundraiser initially in mid-December. She narrowly survived a vote to remove her from leadership in February 2021, only to be ousted a few months later. Following this, she took on the role of vice chair of the House Jan. 6 committee. The fundraiser had a cost of $5,000 per PAC or $2,500 to personally host, while attendance was set at $1,000, with a host list featuring numerous prominent figures from D.C.
Before his transition to the private sector, Allen had held various roles focusing on legislative affairs, counter-proliferation strategy, and homeland security in the George W. Bush White House, and served as the majority staff director on the House Intelligence Committee. He currently serves as a managing director at the consulting firm Beacon Global Strategies LLC.
Ratcliffe’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled for this Wednesday, and as of now, no Democrats have publicly expressed support for him.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
