National Security Expert
Morgan has worked for President Donald J. Trump in both of his administrations. Most recently he served at the White House as the head of public diplomacy for the President’s Special Envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg.
Prior to joining the 47th administration, Morgan served as a senior fellow with the America First Policy Institute, working with the nation’s foremost political thought leaders to craft national security policy. Between Trump administrations, Morgan also served as the national security advisor to United States Senator Tommy Tuberville, a member of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee and Seapower subcommittee. Murphy advised the senator on matters of national defense, foreign policy, intelligence, nuclear energy, and space.
In 2020, Captain Murphy was recalled to active duty to work for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In that role, Murphy became the press secretary to the Secretary of Defense amid an intense times in our nation’s history. In addition to helping the department address the outbreak of COVID-19, the launch of Operation Warp Speed, the civil unrest of the summer of 2020, and election integrity. With the appointment of Christopher Miller as Acting Secretary of Defense, Murphy served as a direct advisor and accompanied the secretary on trips to Afghanistan, Qatar, Djibouti, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malta, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Indonesia, Germany, England, Scotland, Guam, the Philippines, and numerous other domestic locations including Hawaii and Alaska.
Morgan joined the U.S. Navy Reserves as an ensign in 1999. Over his 26-year career in the Navy, Morgan has served on five continents and held key roles with America’s senior-most national security leaders.
His prior deployments include a 2010-2011 tour of Afghanistan where he served as the director of media outreach for the war, briefing General David Petraeus, two ambassadors, and 30+ flag officers on a daily basis.
Captain Murphy’s decorations include the Joint Meritorious Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Freedom Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal, among others.
Some Cool Facts
By the numbers
Newspaper Writer and Magazine Editor
Morgan began his professional writing career for his college newspaper, The Hilltop News, rising to editor-in-chief in 1993. In 1994, he landed an internship with The New York Post. His first major magazine article appeared in Esquire in 1995 and he joined the staff of Vanity Fair in 1996 as a special projects assistant. In 1998, he moved to Forbes and was the first reporter to estimate the net worth of J.K. Rowling.
In 2000, Morgan moved back to his hometown, becoming the travel editor, food critic, and national spokesman of Southern Living. In 2007, he was named executive editor.
Book Author
In 2011, Murphy published his first cookbook, “Off the Eaten Path,” A collection of his 150 favorite recipes from his favorite restaurants across the South. The book sold more than 100,000 copies and featured a forward by Fannie Flagg.
In 2013, Murphy followed up with a sequel, “Second Helpings,” which featured an additional 150 recipes from 65 restaurants. Murphy traveled to each and the book is full of his photography from the road. “Second Helpings” also sold more than 100,000 copies and landed Murphy on Fox & Friends, the Today Show, and many others.
“Bourbon & Bacon,” Murphy’s guide to his two favorite food groups, followed in 2014. And his final book in the “Off the Eaten Path” series, “On the Road Again,” debuted in 2015. It immediately hit #1 on Amazon and Publisher’s Weekly upon launch.