President Trump on Monday tapped Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, sending the nomination to the Senate for confirmation along with a slate of other picks.
The ambassadorship has been vacant since Michael Ratney departed at the end of the Biden administration. Jennifer Larson, a career Foreign Service officer, has been leading the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh on an interim basis since mid-August, succeeding Alison Dilworth.
Hunt, a 44-year-old former Army officer, is finishing his second term representing Texas's 38th Congressional District. He ran for the Senate earlier this year but finished third in the GOP primary, which ultimately went to state Attorney General Ken Paxton after a runoff against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
In a statement, Hunt called the nomination “the honor of a lifetime.” He highlighted his military service in the region and his two years as a diplomatic liaison in the kingdom, saying he understands “the strategic importance of the partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.” He pledged to advance Trump’s “vision of peace through strength” if confirmed.
It remains unclear whether Hunt will resign from the House before his term ends in January if the Senate confirms him. The Hill has reached out to his office for comment.
The nomination comes amid deepening ties between the Trump administration and Riyadh. Trump and his family have business interests in Saudi Arabia, and he has maintained a close relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom U.S. intelligence concluded approved the 2018 operation that led to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Last month, the administration sent Congress a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia. The 30-year deal would allow U.S. companies to develop the kingdom's civil nuclear infrastructure, but Trump has conditioned its implementation on Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel.
The nomination also occurs as regional tensions remain high, including Houthi attacks on Saudi pipeline infrastructure that have rattled energy markets. The ambassador will play a key role in managing these security and diplomatic challenges.
Hunt's departure from the House would trigger a special election in Texas's 38th District, though the timing depends on when he leaves office. His nomination is part of a broader Trump administration push to place loyalists in key diplomatic posts.
