Jennifer A.H. Hodge

In January 2020, Jennifer A.H. Hodge was appointed as Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) over the Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO) and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS).  During the 10 months prior to her selection, Jennifer served as Acting DAAG over OEO and the Public Integrity Section (PIN).  In her role as DAAG, she is the approving official for numerous requests from United States Attorney’s Offices (USAOs) and law enforcement partners regarding the use of the Department’s most sophisticated and sensitive investigative techniques, including, among other matters, electronic surveillance, attorney subpoenas, certain requests arising under the Department’s news media policy, and witness immunity.  She works with interagency partners through the National Security Council on matters involving transnational organized crime, the fentanyl crisis, and Department and law enforcement bilateral engagement with international partners.  Jennifer also reviews and handles ethics matters, as well as compliance and the Privacy Act as the Division’s Senior Component Official for Privacy. 

Before being appointed as DAAG, Jennifer was the Director of OEO.  She started her career in the Department in 2003 as a Trial Attorney in OEO’s Electronic Surveillance Unit (ESU).  She subsequently served as the Deputy Chief of ESU and ultimately became Chief of ESU and then Deputy Director of OEO.  For more than a decade, Jennifer has reviewed and advised on Title III wiretap applications and issues in investigations across the Department.  During Jennifer’s many years of service, she has admirably represented the Division and its mission, including working tirelessly to assist federal prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in obtaining necessary wiretap evidence.  She has worked collaboratively with law enforcement agencies and USAOs to keep pace with ever-changing technology that impacts surveillance and to develop policy that responds to technological change while maintaining the privacy protections of Title III.  Based on her expertise, Jennifer has presented and trained on Title III matters at the National Advocacy Center, USAOs, OCDETF conferences, law enforcement agencies, and for foreign delegations.  Jennifer’s service has been recognized with several Department Achievement Awards as well as an Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service.   

Prior to joining OEO, Jennifer worked as a law clerk to the Chief Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit in Fairfax County (Virginia), as an Assistant Public Defender in Northern Virginia, and in private practice for two firms, litigating matters in the Eastern District of Virginia.  She also directed the Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis Program at the George Mason University School of Law, and previously served as an adjunct professor there. 

Jennifer is a graduate of the George Mason University School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary.