Townsend moved to the Justice Department in the early 1990s to work on international legal matters. In 1991, she worked in the Office of the Attorney General to assist in establishing the newly created Office of International Programs, the predecessor to the Executive Office for National Security. In December 1993, she joined the Criminal Division where she served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Attorney General, where she took part in establishing the Division's international training and rule of law programs.
Despite concerns about Townsend's past as a Democratic appointee, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hired her for the National Security Council in Spring 2003 at the urging of counterterrorism chief John A. Gordon and Homeland Security Advisor Richard A. Clarke. In December 2003, she coordinated government terrorism responses that led to the grounding of flights from Europe during the holiday season. She was appointed Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism on May 28, 2004. During her tenure, she oversaw an intelligence reorganization and conducted the first post-9/11 review of the White House's anti-terrorism campaign. Townsend served as the public face of the Bush administration while it was under criticism for allegedly overreacting to dated intelligence in its decision to raise terrorist threat levels during an election season. She also inspected Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison as an envoy of President Bush. Townsend was tapped to implement broad changes in the intelligence community recommended by a presidential commission headed by former Senator Chuck Robb and U.S. District Judge Laurence Silberman.
From 2010 to 2021, Townsend served as vice chairman, general counsel, and chief administrative officer at MacAndrews & Forbes.
Afterwards, Townsend stated that Activision was working to remove employees guilty of bad behavior and had "exited" 20 employees, with another 20 facing disciplinary action.
In July 2022, Townsend helped found a group of U.S. business and policy leaders who share the goal of constructively engaging with China in order to improve U.S.–China relations.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Frances Fragos Townsend.
Needleman, Sarah (September 30, 2022). "Activision Blizzard Compliance Chief Frances Townsend Steps Down". WSJ. WSJ News. Retrieved October 2, 2022. https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-blizzard-compliance-chief-frances-townsend-steps-down-11664564356
Will Thomas (May 12, 2008). "Frances Townsend Joins CNN: Latest White House Official To Spin With The Media". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 13, 2015. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/04/frances-townsend-joins-cn_n_100034.html
"Government Veterans to Take Fight to Extremists on Online Battleground". Time. September 22, 2014. https://time.com/3418918/counter-extremism-group-isis-twitter-internet/
"Weddings; Frances Fragos and John Townsend". The New York Times. October 9, 1994. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/style/weddings-frances-fragos-and-john-townsend.html
Who's who Among American Law Students. University Pub. Bureau. 1984. p. 100. ISBN 9780043960004. 9780043960004
"Weddings; Frances Fragos and John Townsend". The New York Times. October 9, 1994. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/style/weddings-frances-fragos-and-john-townsend.html
Knowlton, Brian (November 19, 2007). "Bush's terrorism adviser, Frances Townsend, resigns". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/world/americas/19iht-19home.8392947.html
Knufken, Kelly (2006). "Townsend: The Tough Cookie" (PDF). USD Magazine (Summer)). San Diego, CA: University of San Diego: 25. http://catcher.sandiego.edu/items/publications/summer2006.pdf
Waller, Douglas (September 3, 2006). "The Terror Consigliere". Time. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120613192144/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1531295-2,00.html
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Hamblin, Abby (November 28, 2016). "Meet the USD law school grad who might be homeland security secretary". The San Diego Union-Tribune. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/the-conversation/sd-who-is-frances-townsend-20161128-htmlstory.html
"Weddings; Frances Fragos and John Townsend". The New York Times. October 9, 1994. https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/style/weddings-frances-fragos-and-john-townsend.html
Knufken, Kelly (2006). "Townsend: The Tough Cookie" (PDF). USD Magazine (Summer)). San Diego, CA: University of San Diego: 25. http://catcher.sandiego.edu/items/publications/summer2006.pdf
Cook, David (September 26, 2006). "Frances Townsend". Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0926/p25s01-usmb.html
Johnston, David (August 6, 2004). "Threats and Responses: The Security Adviser; A Bush Aide (and a Mother) Emerges as a Major Player in the Antiterror Campaign". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/06/world/threats-responses-security-adviser-bush-aide-mother-emerges-major-player.html
Knowlton, Brian (November 19, 2007). "Bush's terrorism adviser, Frances Townsend, resigns". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/world/americas/19iht-19home.8392947.html
Cook, David (September 26, 2006). "Frances Townsend". Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0926/p25s01-usmb.html
Knowlton, Brian (November 19, 2007). "Bush's terrorism adviser, Frances Townsend, resigns". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/world/americas/19iht-19home.8392947.html
Johnston, David (August 6, 2004). "Threats and Responses: The Security Adviser; A Bush Aide (and a Mother) Emerges as a Major Player in the Antiterror Campaign". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/06/world/threats-responses-security-adviser-bush-aide-mother-emerges-major-player.html
Cook, David (September 26, 2006). "Frances Townsend". Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0926/p25s01-usmb.html
Knowlton, Brian (November 19, 2007). "Bush's terrorism adviser, Frances Townsend, resigns". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/world/americas/19iht-19home.8392947.html
Waller, Douglas (September 3, 2006). "The Terror Consigliere". Time. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120613192144/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1531295-2,00.html
Johnston, David (August 6, 2004). "Threats and Responses: The Security Adviser; A Bush Aide (and a Mother) Emerges as a Major Player in the Antiterror Campaign". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/06/world/threats-responses-security-adviser-bush-aide-mother-emerges-major-player.html
"Ms. Frances Fragos Townsend: Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009 – via National Archives. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/townsend-bio.html
"Ms. Frances Fragos Townsend: Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009 – via National Archives. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/townsend-bio.html
"Ms. Frances Fragos Townsend: Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009 – via National Archives. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/townsend-bio.html
Cook, David (September 26, 2006). "Frances Townsend". Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0926/p25s01-usmb.html
"Ms. Frances Fragos Townsend: Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009 – via National Archives. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/townsend-bio.html
Ragavan, Chitra (December 6, 2004). "A skillful survivor". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on July 2, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050702001431/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/041206/6townsend.htm
"Ms. Frances Fragos Townsend: Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009 – via National Archives. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/government/townsend-bio.html
Glasser, Susan B.; Baker, Peter (August 27, 2005). "An Outsider's Quick Rise To Bush Terror Adviser". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2011. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511_pf.html
Glasser, Susan B.; Baker, Peter (August 27, 2005). "An Outsider's Quick Rise To Bush Terror Adviser". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2011. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511_pf.html
Glasser, Susan B.; Baker, Peter (August 27, 2005). "An Outsider's Quick Rise To Bush Terror Adviser". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2011. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511_pf.html
Glasser, Susan B.; Baker, Peter (August 27, 2005). "An Outsider's Quick Rise To Bush Terror Adviser". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2011. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511_pf.html
Knowlton, Brian (November 19, 2007). "Bush's terrorism adviser, Frances Townsend, resigns". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/world/americas/19iht-19home.8392947.html
Cook, David (September 26, 2006). "Frances Townsend". Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0926/p25s01-usmb.html
Glasser, Susan B.; Baker, Peter (August 27, 2005). "An Outsider's Quick Rise To Bush Terror Adviser". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2011. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511_pf.html
Johnston, David (August 6, 2004). "Threats and Responses: The Security Adviser; A Bush Aide (and a Mother) Emerges as a Major Player in the Antiterror Campaign". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/06/world/threats-responses-security-adviser-bush-aide-mother-emerges-major-player.html
Glasser, Susan B.; Baker, Peter (August 27, 2005). "An Outsider's Quick Rise To Bush Terror Adviser". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2011. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511_pf.html
Glasser, Susan B.; Baker, Peter (August 27, 2005). "An Outsider's Quick Rise To Bush Terror Adviser". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2011. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511_pf.html
Glasser, Susan B.; Baker, Peter (August 27, 2005). "An Outsider's Quick Rise To Bush Terror Adviser". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2011. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511_pf.html
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"Trump confidant was willing to share information with UAE: Leaked emails show a close working relationship between the Emiratis and Trump's circle while he was still a candidate". Al Jazeerah. June 29, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/mee-reveals-trump-confidant-shared-information-uae-180628155309210.html
Hearst, David (June 28, 2018). "Revealed: How Trump confidant was ready to share inside information with UAE: Emails will be of interest to Mueller investigation, which is looking at whether the UAE and Saudi funnelled payments to Trump's campaign". Middle East Eye. Retrieved July 11, 2018. /w/index.php?title=David_Hearst&action=edit&redlink=1
Hearst, David (June 28, 2018). "Revealed: How Trump confidant was ready to share inside information with UAE: Emails will be of interest to Mueller investigation, which is looking at whether the UAE and Saudi funnelled payments to Trump's campaign". Middle East Eye. Retrieved July 11, 2018. /w/index.php?title=David_Hearst&action=edit&redlink=1
"Townsend: Trump team approached me for FBI director: This week's Women Rule podcast dives into the experiences of three prominent women in the George W. Bush administration, including his homeland security adviser, who notes her candidacy for Comey's job is 'history making.'". Politico. May 24, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2018. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/24/townsend-trump-team-approached-me-for-fbi-director-238731
"Frances Fragos Townsend". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved February 18, 2022. https://www.cfr.org/bio/frances-fragos-townsend
Needleman, Sarah E.; Nakrosis, Stephen (March 3, 2021). "Activision Blizzard Says Frances Townsend Will Oversee Compliance". WSJ. Retrieved July 23, 2021. https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-blizzard-says-frances-townsend-will-oversee-compliance-11614732608
Schreier, Jason (July 26, 2021). "Activision Blizzard Staff Sign Petition Supporting Labor Lawsuit". Time. Retrieved July 27, 2021. https://time.com/6084099/activision-blizzard-lawsuit/
Plunkett, Luke (November 16, 2021). "Bobby Kotick Actually Wrote Fran Townsend's Deranged, Company-Wide Email". Kotaku. Retrieved November 17, 2021. https://kotaku.com/bobby-kotick-actually-wrote-fran-townsends-deranged-co-1848069983
"WSJ News Exclusive | Activision Blizzard Pushes Out Dozens of Employees Over Workplace Misconduct". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/activision-blizzard-pushes-out-dozens-of-employees-over-workplace-misconduct-11642428001
"Frances Fragos Townsend". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved February 18, 2022. https://www.cfr.org/bio/frances-fragos-townsend
"Frances Fragos Townsend". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved February 18, 2022. https://www.cfr.org/bio/frances-fragos-townsend
CFR Staff (2015). "Council on Foreign Relations (CFR): Membership Roster". CFR.org. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160116185757/http://www.cfr.org/about/membership/roster.html?letter=T
"Frances Fragos Townsend". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved February 18, 2022. https://www.cfr.org/bio/frances-fragos-townsend
"Board of Directors". Atlantic Council. Retrieved February 12, 2020. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/about/board-of-directors/
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