David Rittgers was a legal policy analyst who concentrated on civil liberties, counterterrorism, and criminal justice. Prior to joining Cato, Mr. Rittgers served in the United States Army as an Infantry and Special Forces officer, including three tours in Afghanistan. He has been awarded an Army Commendation Medal with a “V” Device for valorous action and two Bronze Star Medals, and continues to serve as a reserve Judge Advocate. Rittgers has published articles in the Wall Street Journal, the Christian Science Monitor, National Review (Online), Findlaw, and The First Amendment Law Review. He has appeared on Fox’s The O’Reilly Factor, CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight, the BBC, and NPR’s Talk of the Nation. In 2009, Mr. Rittgers was selected as one of the Center for a New American Security’s Next Generation National Security Leaders Program. Rittgers earned his J.D. from the University of North Carolina and is a member of the Virginia bar. Any views expressed by Mr. Rittgers are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Defense or the Army.
