White House eyes Treasury official John Hurley as next U.S. ambassador to Germany

A key Treasury official could soon lead U.S. diplomacy in Berlin. His dual focus on sanctions and cybercrime may reshape transatlantic ties.

, and Administrator

2026 May 5 . 4:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows a man standing at a podium in front of a red wall, wearing a black blazer, white... — The image shows a man standing at a podium in front of a red wall, wearing a black blazer, white shirt, and purple tie. On the podium are two microphones and a bouquet of flowers, and to the right of the man is another person sitting in a chair. In the background, there is a red banner with the words "US-China Economic Relations" written on it, indicating that the man at the podium is Terry Branstad, the US Ambassador to China.

White House eyes Treasury official John Hurley as next U.S. ambassador to Germany

The White House is considering John Hurley for the role of U.S. ambassador to Germany. No final decision has been made, but Hurley has already undergone an interview for the position. He currently holds a key role in the Treasury Department. Hurley serves as the undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence. His appointment to this position was confirmed in July 2024. Since then, he has remained active in his duties, including work on sanctions against Russia and cybercrime networks.

The ambassador post in Germany has been filled on an interim basis since mid-2024. Meanwhile, top U.S. officials, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany this week.

President Donald Trump has taken an unconventional approach to diplomatic appointments in his second term. His choices for European ambassadors have varied widely in background and experience. Hurley’s potential nomination comes as the U.S. maintains close but complex relations with Germany. If selected, he would take on the role while continuing his work in financial security. For now, the White House has not announced a timeline for the decision.