Warren Presses Defense Research & Engineering Nominee to Address Conflicts of Interest, Questions Incidents of Attacks on Journalists and Public Accountability

“By [addressing these conflicts], you would increase Americans’ trust in your ability to serve thepublic interest during your time at DoD — rather than your former technology companies seeking defense contracts.”
Text of Letter (PDF)
Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Mr. Emil Michael, nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), with concern over his history of inappropriate behavior at work, his attacks on journalists and public accountability, and his ties to technology companies that may seek contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD).
As USD(R&E), Mr. Michael would become DoD’s Chief Technology Officer and would help the department select which defense technologies to advance. Mr. Michael’s resume includes senior executive roles at major technology companies, including Uber. He also leads DPCM Capital, Inc., which acquired D-Wave Systems, a quantum computing company eligible for DoD contracts.
Mr. Michael's new role may position him to help secure military contracts for companies he’s tied to, such as D-Wave as it seeks a DoD contract to provide quantum computing services, or Uber as it seeks to provide ride services from military bases.
“[These conflicts mean] the public will have reason to question whether your decision-making is biased toward benefiting your former employers, acquisitions, or investments rather than the public interest,”wrote Senator Warren.
Mr. Michael also has a record of inappropriate behavior and attacks on the press. He departed his role as a former executive at Uber after a series of high-profile scandals, including taking employees to an escort-karaoke bar during a trip to Seoul andrecommendingsilencing journalists who were critical of Uber by publicizing details about their personal lives.
Senator Warren asked Mr. Michael to address his conflicts of interest and make the same ethics commitments that his predecessor, Heidi Shyu, and other former DoD officials, including former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have done. She urged Mr. Michael to recuse himself from all matters related to his former clients or employers for four years while at DoD and for four years after leaving DoD to not seek compensation from a company he oversees during his tenure at DoD. She also requested a commitment to not lobby DoD after leaving the department.
Senator Warren requested that Mr. Michael provide answers about his troubling attacks on the press, his history of inappropriate behavior, and conflicts of interest by March 10, 2025.
Senator Warren has been a leader on enforcing government ethics standards and pressing nominees to address conflicts of interest before their tenure in government:
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