Trump Nominates Michael Young as US Ambassador to Serbia
President Donald Trump has sent the Senate his nomination of Michael Young as ambassador to Belgrade, filling a post empty since Christopher Hill left.
- On June 2, Trump sent the Senate his nomination of Michael Young as US ambassador to Serbia.
- The post has been vacant since Christopher Hill left in early 2025.
- The same day brought nominations for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, but none for Kosovo.
- Young is a lawyer and former president of three US universities; the Senate must confirm the nomination.
President of the United States Donald Trump sent the Senate his nomination of Michael Young as US ambassador to Serbia on June 2. The move fills the top post at the American diplomatic mission in Belgrade, which had stood empty since Christopher Hill stepped down in early 2025.
On the same day, Trump forwarded two more nominations for the wider region: Ronald Johnson as ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Peter McCoy for Montenegro. The post of US ambassador to Kosovo, according to available information, was not filled on this occasion.
Who is Michael Young
Michael Young is a lawyer with a long career in academia. He served as president of three American universities: the University of Utah from 2004 to 2011, the University of Washington, and Texas A&M. He earned his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University and studied law at Harvard.
Young also brings executive branch experience. In the administration of President George W. Bush, he held the position of deputy legal adviser at the US State Department. His nomination now passes to the legislative branch.
- President of the University of Utah (2004-2011)
- President of the University of Washington
- President of Texas A&M University
- Deputy legal adviser at the State Department under the Bush administration
What happens after the nomination?
A presidential nomination is not the final word. For Michael Young to take up his duties in Belgrade, the US Senate must confirm his appointment. That process includes a hearing before the relevant committee and a vote, and in practice it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Until the Senate signs off, the American embassy in Belgrade continues to operate without an ambassador at its helm, a situation that has lasted for more than a year since Christopher Hill left the role. The appointment of a new ambassador to Belgrade, alongside the nominations for Sarajevo and Podgorica, signals that Washington is moving to fill diplomatic posts across the region.
How will this nomination shape relations between Washington and Belgrade in the months ahead?
