Sebastian Gorka

National security expert

Gorka, the son of Hungarian parents who fled their homeland after the 1956 uprising, was raised with a profound appreciation for freedom and resistance against totalitarian regimes. ​

Gorka's educational journey began at St. Benedict's School in Ealing, London. He pursued higher education at the University of London. During his university years, he volunteered with the British Territorial Army, serving in the 22 Intelligence Company of the Intelligence and Security Group. In 1992, Gorka relocated to Hungary, where he held positions in the Ministry of Defense and served as an adviser to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. In the wake of 9/11, he emerged as a counterterrorism expert, frequently appearing in Hungarian media. In 2004, he joined the faculty of the Program for Terrorism and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany.

Gorka moved to the United States in 2008, where held various academic roles, including Associate Dean for Congressional Affairs at the National Defense University and the Major General Matthew C. Horner Chair of Military Theory at the Marine Corps University Foundation.

In January 2017, Gorka joined President Donald Trump's administration as Deputy Assistant to the President. He was known for his assertive media appearances defending the administration's national security policies during his tenure. He left the White House in August 2017, citing opposition to the "Make America Great Again" agenda.