Brandon Williams (politician)

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Brandon McDonald Williams (born May 22, 1967) is an American politician and government official. He currently serves as the United States Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). He previously represented New York’s 22nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2023 to 2025.

Early life and education
- Williams was born in Dallas, Texas.
- He attended Baylor University, Pepperdine University (where he earned a Bachelor of Arts), and studied Asian studies at Harvard College for a year as a visiting student. He earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
- Before politics, he worked as an investment banker and business executive and helped found two companies: IgniteIP and CPLANE.

Military service and business career
- He served in the United States Navy from 1991 to 1996 as a submarine officer, achieving the rank of lieutenant.
- Williams and his wife bought a 67-acre farm in Sennett, New York, in 2008 that focused on bees, lavender, and truffles. They sold the farm in 2025.

U.S. House of Representatives
- Williams ran for Congress after John Katko retired and won the Republican primary in an upset over Steve Wells. He then defeated Democrat Francis Conole in the 2022 general election to represent New York’s 22nd district.
- During his time in Congress, he supported a Trump-aligned agenda, advocated for “America First” policies, and criticized bipartisan approaches.
- He was one of four Republicans who called for George Santos to resign and voted to expel Santos.
- Williams supported an impeachment inquiry against President Biden in 2023.
- His tenure included criticism that he did not live in his district, a high rate of staff turnover in his office, and a controversial Christmas party confrontation with a former chief of staff.

Election results and tenure
- Williams served in the U.S. House from January 3, 2023, to January 3, 2025.
- In the 2024 election, he was defeated by Democrat John Mannion as the district shifted after redistricting.

NNSA and current role
- On January 16, 2025, President-elect Donald Trump announced Williams as the Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. He was confirmed by the Senate on September 18, 2025, and sworn in on September 26, 2025.

Political views
- Williams has described himself as holding sharp conservative views. He has supported school vouchers, voter identification requirements, and a border wall. He has been opposed to federal abortion restrictions, favoring state-level decisions, while personally opposing abortion with exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the mother’s life. On gun policy, he has opposed broad restrictions on gun access, such as red flag laws and bans on assault weapons, while supporting stronger background checks.

Personal life
- Williams is married to Stephanie; they have two children. They began homeschooling their children after a dispute with a teacher over religion.
- The family has lived in several places, including Florida, Texas, upstate New York, Seattle, New York City, and Silicon Valley, and moved to Washington, D.C., in 2025.
- His father, Don Williams, is a Dallas businessman involved in community efforts and social causes.