Why Obama Holdover and Iranian Affairs Advisor Joey Hood Must Be Replaced as U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia

Washington, D.C. – As President Donald Trump’s second term gains momentum, a lingering vestige of the Obama-Biden era remains entrenched in U.S. foreign policy: Joey Hood, the U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia. As a career diplomat with deep ties to Democrat administrations, Hood’s continued tenure stands in stark contrast to the America First agenda championed by the Trump administration. With Tunisia facing persistent security challenges and the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia promoting policies misaligned with MAGA priorities, it’s time for the Senate to act swiftly to confirm Trump’s nominee, Bill Bazzi, and replace this Obama holdover with a fresh voice for American interests.

A Democrat Loyalist in a Key Diplomatic Post

Joey Hood’s resume reads like a playbook of Democrat foreign policy. Serving as Deputy Director of the Office of Iranian Affairs during the Obama-Clinton State Department in 2012, Hood was a key figure in shaping Middle East policy under Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During this time when Hood worked as the Deputy Director of Iranian Affairs at the State Department, Hood worked alongside Nate Swanson, another Biden holdover who still remains in the Trump State Department where he is advising on Iran, despite playing a key role in designing Obama’s disastrous JCPOA policy on Iran.

In 2021, President Joe Biden dispatched Hood to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to negotiate a new Iran nuclear deal, a move reported by The Hill that underscored his role in advancing Biden’s diplomatic agenda. His public support for Democrat initiatives is no secret. Hood’s LinkedIn activity includes a post congratulating Ilan Goldenberg on his appointment as Director of Jewish Outreach and Policy Advisor for Harris for President, signaling his alignment with Progressive Democrat leadership.

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Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia by a Democrat-controlled Senate on December 22, 2022, Joey Hood has held the post since, even as President Trump nominated Bill Bazzi to replace him on March 24, 2025. As of May 28, 2025, a post from the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia’s X account confirmed Hood’s ongoing role, with Bazzi’s nomination still pending in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This delay allows Hood to continue steering U.S. policy in Tunisia, raising concerns about the slow pace of transitioning to Trump-aligned leadership.

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Embassy Activities at Odds with MAGA Priorities

Under Joey Hood’s leadership, the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia has prioritized cultural engagement and visa facilitation, reflecting the Obama-Biden emphasis on diversity and open borders rather than the stringent security and America First policies of the Trump administration. Embassy social media posts highlight this disconnect. On April 18, 2025, the embassy promoted Michigan as a beacon of “diversity and opportunity,” spotlighting its significant Muslim refugee population and “American spirit of innovation.” Such messaging aligns more with Democrat talking points than the MAGA focus on national sovereignty and security.

The embassy’s focus on visa applications further underscores this misalignment. Posts from April 25 and May 6, 2025, offered detailed guidance to Africans who are navigating the U.S. visa process, while a May 10 post encouraged Tunisians to apply early for summer travel, emphasizing “thorough screening” but framing the U.S. as an “open destination”. These efforts clash with the Trump administration’s push for tighter immigration controls and heightened vetting, particularly in regions with elevated security risks and Islamic terrorism, like Tunisia.

Tunisia’s Security Challenges Demand a New Approach

Tunisia’s volatile security environment amplifies the need for an ambassador aligned with Trump’s hardline stance on terrorism and border security. The country has been under a state of emergency since 2015. The U.S. Department of State has warned of ongoing terrorist threats targeting tourist sites, transportation hubs, and security forces, especially near the Algerian and Libyan borders. Despite Tunisia’s efforts to bolster its security apparatus, the persistent risk of attacks demands a U.S. ambassador who prioritizes counterterrorism and regional stability over cultural outreach and visa promotion. Not an open borders Obama loyalist who is pushing for more Islamic immigration into the United States amid global terror threats that are now plaguing American cities.

Joey Hood’s leadership, rooted in Obama-Biden policies, appears ill-suited to address these challenges with the urgency and focus required under the second Trump administration. Furthermore, his tenure reflects a continuation of Democrat diplomatic priorities that emphasize engagement over security, a stance that risks undermining U.S. interests in a region critical to countering extremism, Islamic terrorism, and ensuring stability.

The Case for Bill Bazzi and Rapid Senate Action

President Trump’s nomination of Bill Bazzi signals a clear intent to realign U.S. policy in Tunisia with MAGA principles. Yet, with Bazzi’s confirmation stalled in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joey Hood remains in place. As of June 18, 2025, the United States Senate has not set a date on its official calendar for Bill Bazzi’s confirmation hearing following his nomination by President Trump in March to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia. This is concerning given the fact that Hood is perpetuating a policy framework at odds with the Trump administration’s goals. This delay highlights a broader vetting crisis within the Trump White House, compounded by congressional Republicans’ sluggish response to advancing key nominations.

The Senate must prioritize Bazzi’s confirmation to ensure U.S. diplomacy in Tunisia reflects the current administration’s priorities: robust national security, stringent immigration controls, and a foreign policy that puts America first. Hood’s continued presence as an Obama holdover not only undermines these objectives, but also sends a message of inertia at a time when decisive action is needed.

A Call for Change

Joey Hood’s ambassadorship in Tunisia is a relic of a bygone era, tethered to globalist Obama-Biden policies that clash with the Trump administration’s vision of strong, America First leadership. As Tunisia grapples with terrorism risks and the U.S. Embassy promotes initiatives misaligned with MAGA values, the need for a new ambassador has never been clearer.

Bill Bazzi represents an opportunity to reset U.S. policy in Tunisia, but his confirmation hinges on the Senate’s willingness to act. It’s time to move past the Obama holdovers and install leadership that reflects the priorities of the American people in 2025. The Senate must confirm Bazzi without delay—America’s interests and security in Tunisia, and beyond, depend on it.

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