Rubio appoints inexperienced consultant to top European diplomat position

Concerns have crept into the State Department about the newly appointed person’s lack of foreign policy experience.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has appointed a former member of his Senate staff, who has experience as a business consultant, to be the top US diplomat for Europe.

Reuters reported that Brendan Hanrahan has been appointed to the position. The publication noted that it was unclear what Hanrahan did in Rubio’s Senate office, how long he worked there, or whether he had any direct experience in foreign policy.

Two State Department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some staff were concerned that the newly appointed head of the State Department’s European Bureau lacked relevant experience.

Hanrahan’s State Department biography states that he was previously an investor and served as a policy advisor to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship under then-Senator Rubio. The biography does not mention any direct experience working on foreign policy issues.

A senior State Department official, responding to the story, said Hanrahan is “a talented and proven professional who has extensive experience in the private sector conducting commercial diplomacy.”

“Brendan will bring a critical economic perspective, play a critical role in the reorganization, and play a critical role in advancing our ‘America First’ agenda across the region,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The publication emphasized that the head of the State Department’s European Bureau usually plays a front and center role in Washington’s relations with European countries, including Ukraine, as well as the Russian Federation.

The journalists added that since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, State Department officials holding this position have played a key role in U.S. diplomacy with Europe and managing relations with Russia. These officials have almost always been confirmed by the Senate.

Trump’s team

The White House’s negotiations with Russia are currently being led by special envoy and close Trump friend Steve Witkoff, who on Friday made his fourth visit to Moscow since Trump took office to meet with Russian dictator Putin.

Witkoff is a billionaire real estate developer who had no diplomatic experience before joining Trump’s team in January.

European officials are concerned that the Russians are taking advantage of the lack of experience in the American negotiating team.

(C)UNIAN 2025