Exclusive: Microsoft promotes former Trump official, hires ex-Biden lawyer

Driving the news: Microsoft is hiring Monaco, a national security veteran who served as deputy attorney general and homeland security adviser under Biden, to serve as president of global affairs.

• She will oversee cybersecurity policy and the company's work with governments and organizations around the world.

Mahoney, who served as deputy trade representative in the first Trump Administration, will hold the title of general counsel but focus primarily on legal issues related to the company's products and services.

• Current general counsel Jon Palmer will continue to hold the general counsel title as well and retain oversight over legal affairs relating to compliance, antitrust and litigation.
• Mahoney joined Microsoft in 2021, initially leading international trade efforts, and has been a corporate VP since 2024.

Monaco, Mahoney and Palmer will all report to Microsoft president Brad Smith, the company's longtime head of policy and legal affairs. Fred Humprhies, a 25-year Microsoft veteran, will continue to lead U.S. government affairs and will continue to report to Smith as well.

What they're saying: "C.J. and Lisa are leaders in their field, and their new roles reflect our longstanding commitment to recruiting and working with top talent from both political parties," Smith told Axios.

The big picture: Many tech companies have made shifts in their policy teams with the shift in administrations.

• Most notably, Meta promoted Joel Kaplan — who has long served as the firm's bridge to Republicans — to lead its policy efforts, with Nick Clegg announcing his retirement.