The future leadership of the U.S. Embassy in Greece, and particularly how long it will take Washington to appoint a successor to Kimberly Guilfoyle, has emerged as a significant question for political officials on both sides of the Atlantic.
For the immediate future, Josh Huck, a former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, is expected to ensure continuity at the embassy. An experienced diplomat who has largely operated behind the scenes during his posting in Athens, Huck is well positioned to maintain the embassy’s day-to-day operations and ongoing diplomatic contacts.
Nevertheless, appointing a new ambassador carries both practical and symbolic importance. At a time when the Eastern Mediterranean faces significant geopolitical challenges, Washington would hardly consider it ideal to pursue its regional foreign policy priorities through a chargé d’affaires for an extended period.
The timing of Guilfoyle’s forced resignation is particularly inconvenient for the White House and the State Department. It comes just weeks before the U.S. midterm elections, amid a difficult political environment for Republicans and indications that the party could lose its Senate majority, potentially suffering defeats even in states where it previously appeared to hold a clear advantage.
This raises a fundamental question: How easily could a future Senate, particularly one controlled by Democrats, confirm an ambassadorial nominee closely identified with President Donald Trump?
The current Senate’s remaining legislative calendar leaves little room for the nomination and confirmation of a new ambassador before the end of its term. Even if the administration were to announce a candidate immediately, completing the process would be challenging.
The Names Under Consideration
For now, speculation about Guilfoyle’s successor largely centers on individuals whose names circulated before Trump selected her for the position.
Among them is Greek-American Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis.
Bilirakis brings several advantages to a potential nomination. He has extensive knowledge of Greek-American relations, is well-respected in Greece, maintains a strong relationship with President Trump and Secretary Rubio and has developed constructive working relationships with Democratic colleagues. His generally measured political rhetoric could also make him a more acceptable candidate in a potentially divided Senate.
However, there is currently no confirmation that Bilirakis remains interested in the position or that his name is under active consideration by the administration.
Another individual mentioned in late 2024 was publisher and businessman John Georges, who also serves as Greece’s honorary consul in New Orleans. His political background includes associations with both major American parties, a characteristic that could potentially work in his favor.
Meanwhile, Greek-American billionaire John Catsimatidis has also been mentioned in discussions about the position. However, his name appears to have circulated primarily because of his Greek heritage and close relationship with Trump, rather than as part of a serious prospective nomination.
A Potentially Lengthy Transition
Under the current circumstances, the most likely scenario is that the U.S. Embassy in Athens will operate under Joshua Huck’s leadership for a considerable period, even if the White House begins the process of selecting a new ambassador without delay.
The confirmation process itself presents a significant obstacle. Guilfoyle, like several other diplomatic nominees, required months to secure Senate approval despite the chamber being controlled by the president’s own party.
A change in Senate leadership following the midterm elections could further complicate the process, particularly if Trump chooses a political ally whose nomination attracts partisan opposition.
The administration must therefore balance two competing priorities: selecting an ambassador who enjoys the president’s confidence and identifying a candidate capable of securing Senate confirmation within a reasonable timeframe.
For Athens, the issue extends beyond the identity of Guilfoyle’s successor. Greece remains central to American strategic planning in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly regarding energy security, defense cooperation and regional stability.
While experienced career diplomats can maintain institutional continuity, the presence of a Senate-confirmed ambassador provides a different level of political authority and direct access to Washington’s decision-making process.
Ultimately, the question is not simply who will replace Kimberly Guilfoyle, but how quickly the Trump administration can restore full ambassadorial representation in Athens at a time when the bilateral relationship faces important strategic decisions.
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