Michelle C. Hamilton was named the Acting (A) Chief of Staff of the United States Marshal Service (USMS) in January 2024. The USMS occupies a uniquely central position in the federal justice system, involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative. As the (A) Chief of Staff, Ms. Hamilton oversees strategic leadership, policy development, interagency coordination, and communication efforts to advance Department of Justice (DOJ) and USMS missions. In her role, she supports the men and women of the Agency and serves as primary liaison to the White House and DOJ’s Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General, and all federal, state, tribal, and international law enforcement partners.
Prior to her appointment as (A) Chief of Staff, she severed in various senior advisor roles, including Deputy Chief of Staff and Executive Officer (XO) to the Associate Director for Operations. As the XO, Ms. Hamilton was the principal advisor to executive leadership on Agency operational readiness for Investigative Operations, Judicial and Witness Security, Prisoner Security and Transportation, Tactical Operations, and Dignitary Protection. Ms. Hamilton served as the Country Attaché in London to assess feasibility for USMS European expansion. At Embassy-London she served as the senior representative on U.S. law enforcement matters for the USMS. She orchestrated partnerships with U.S. and host nation governments, and established extensive capabilities for the USMS on enforcement, investigations, extraditions, protection and security, and sex offender prosecutions and investigations.
Prior to these appointments, Ms. Hamilton was the Deputy Chief of the International Investigation’s Branch and the Regional Inspector for the Office of Canadian Affairs. She maintains international law enforcement contacts around the globe, has comprehensive familiarity in conducting legal analysis and interpreting international treaties across domestic and foreign governmental agencies. Ms. Hamilton is a subject matter expert in global affairs, advancing USMS interest abroad, resolving intergovernmental issues, and promoting cooperation with leaders in various administrations and enterprises.
Ms. Hamilton began her career with the USMS in 2008, as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Western District of Washington (W/WA). Throughout her eight years in W/WA, Ms. Hamilton served six years on the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force. There she worked on many high-profile fugitive investigations and conducted complex fugitive operations as a tactical team leader and field training officer.
Ms. Hamilton has received various letters of commendation for her outstanding investigations and oversight of highly complex operations from the USMS, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and numerous state, local and international agencies. Additionally, in 2021, Ms. Hamilton received the Directors Honorary Distinguished Service Award, the highest award granted by the Director to recognize her major contributions to the accomplishments of the USMS. Ms. Hamilton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Seattle University.