The White House has announced that President Donald J. Trump has submitted a new group of presidential nominations to the United States Senate, including the nomination of Nicholas Checker of Wisconsin to serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Rwanda. The nomination, transmitted on July 21, 2026, now enters the Senate confirmation process, where lawmakers will review the nominee before a final vote.
If confirmed, Checker will become the chief representative of the United States in Rwanda, leading the U.S. Embassy in Kigali and working to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. His responsibilities would include advancing diplomatic relations, promoting trade and investment, supporting development initiatives, enhancing regional security cooperation, and expanding collaboration in areas of shared interest.
Checker currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern Africa and Foreign Assistance at the U.S. Department of State. Earlier this year, from January through June 2026, he served as the Senior Bureau Official overseeing the Bureau of African Affairs, where he directed U.S. engagement across the African continent during a transitional period for the bureau. His nomination reflects extensive experience in African affairs, national security, and U.S. foreign policy.
Before joining the Department of State, Checker served as Deputy Executive Secretary for the National Security Council under President Trump. Between 2014 and 2025, he worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he focused on conflicts in the greater Middle East and the Horn of Africa and later served in the Agency’s Office of Congressional Affairs. His contributions to U.S. national security earned him the Intelligence Commendation Medal in 2021 for his work related to Afghanistan and the CIA Director’s Award for Analysis in 2022. In 2023, he also served as a national security fellow in the office of Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee.
Checker’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University, providing a strong foundation for his diplomatic and national security career.
The White House stated that the President formally transmitted the nominations to the Senate as part of a broader package of appointments for diplomatic, judicial, and law enforcement leadership positions. The list also includes nominations for senior Department of Justice officials, United States Attorneys, United States Marshals, and Joshua Harris, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia.
The U.S. Department of State has consistently emphasized that American ambassadors are responsible for advancing U.S. foreign policy, protecting the interests of American citizens abroad, strengthening partnerships with host governments, and promoting peace, security, and economic cooperation. The Department has noted that diplomatic engagement remains essential to addressing shared regional and global challenges through constructive dialogue and collaboration.
The nomination will now proceed through the Senate’s constitutional advice-and-consent process. If confirmed, Nicholas Checker will assume leadership of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Kigali, where he will work with the Government of Rwanda to further deepen the longstanding relationship between the United States and Rwanda across political, economic, security, and development priorities.
