Colby Jenkins

Colby C. Jenkins
Official portrait, 2025
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict
In office
January 20, 2025 – August 25, 2025
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byChristopher Maier
Succeeded byDerrick Anderson
Personal details
BornColby C. Jenkins
Roosevelt, Utah, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service2000-2011
RankColonel
UnitUnited States Army Special Forces

Colby Jenkins is an American official of the United States Department of Defense[1] who served as acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict from January to August 2025.[2] He was a candidate in the Republican primary for Utah's 2nd congressional district in 2024, narrowly losing to incumbent Celeste Maloy.[3]

Early life and education

Jenkins was born and raised in Roosevelt, Utah. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy.[4]

Career

While serving in the Army for 11 years, Jenkins became a Green Beret. He went on to lead special forces teams in Afghanistan and South America.[4]

Upon leaving active service, Jenkins joined the National Guard and began teaching at George Washington University. He later worked in the tech industry for Google.[5]

Jenkins challenged incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Celeste Maloy in the 2024 election for Utah's 2nd congressional district.[6] The race was so close that he requested a recount of the results. After the recount, it was confirmed that he lost to Maloy by 176 votes.[7]

In January 2025, President Donald Trump appointed Jenkins as acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict.[8] He left office on August 25, 2025.[9]

References

  1. ^ "COLBY C. JENKINS". United States Department of Defense. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  2. ^ Baldor, Lolita (April 8, 2025). "Pentagon official: US military has no authority to do drone strikes on drug cartels in Mexico". AP News.
  3. ^ McKellar, Katie (July 9, 2024). "Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy declares victory, but Colby Jenkins on track for a recount". Utah News Dispatch. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Gehrke, Robert (February 4, 2025). "Colby Jenkins joins Trump administration in Pentagon role". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  5. ^ Poonia, Gitanjali (February 18, 2026). "Former Utah congressional candidate takes on new role at the Pentagon". Deseret News. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  6. ^ Tomco, Brigham (May 14, 2024). "Sen. Rand Paul endorses Colby Jenkins in his run against Rep. Celeste Maloy". Deseret News. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  7. ^ McKellar, Katie (August 5, 2024). "Rep. Celeste Maloy wins recount of Utah's 2nd Congressional District race by 176 votes". Utah News Dispatch. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  8. ^ Forbis, Kristin (February 19, 2025). "Roosevelt Native Serving On Trump Administration Defense Team". Basin Now. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "Department of Defense Key Officials" (PDF). United States Department of Defense. December 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
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