Robert S. Gilchrist Explained

Robert Stuart Gilchrist^[3] (born 1964) is an American diplomat who had served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor from September 2023 to August 2024. He served as the United States ambassador to Lithuania from February 2020 to August 2023. He is a career Foreign Service Officer with the rank of minister counselor.^[4] He was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate on December 20, 2019.^[5] Gilchrist was the fifth US ambassador from the LGBT community nominated to serve by the Trump administration.^{[6] [7]}

Early life and education

Gilchrist earned a Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and a Master of Arts from the University of Virginia.^[8]

Career

Gilchrist was director of the United States Department of State Operations Center, deputy chief of mission of the United States embassy in Sweden, deputy chief of mission of the United States embassy in Estonia, and the director of Nordic and Baltic Affairs in the State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Among his earlier assignments, he was deputy political counselor at the United States embassy in Iraq, chief of the political section of the United States embassy in Romania, and a special assistant in the Office of the deputy secretary of state.

United States ambassador to Lithuania

On July 22, 2019, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Gilchrist to be the United States ambassador to Lithuania. His nomination was sent to the Senate on August 1, 2019.^[9] Russian hostility was a central topic during his confirmation hearings.^[10] On December 19, 2019, his nomination was confirmed in the Senate by voice vote.^[11] Gilchrist was the fifth LGBT ambassador confirmed under the Trump administration.^{[12] [13]} He presented his credentials to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda on February 4, 2020.^[14] He left office in August 12, 2023.

U.S. State Department

Gilchrist had served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.^[15]

Personal life

Gilchrist speaks Spanish, French, Estonian, and Romanian.

See also

• Ambassadors of the United States
• List of LGBT ambassadors of the United States
• GLIFAA (Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Executive Reports of Committees . November 20, 2019 . U.S. Congress . February 17, 2020.
2. Web site: On the World Stage: Bob Gilchrist ('86) on climbing the monkey bars, life in the Foreign Service, and his latest role as U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania. King. Kerry. 2020-02-18. Wake Forest Magazine. en-US. 2020-01-24.
3. Web site: Executive Reports of Committees . United States Congress.
4. Web site: Ambassador Robert S. Gilchrist .
5. Web site: Ops Center Director Robert S. Gilchrist to be U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania. Spero. Domani. July 29, 2019. Diplopundit. en-US. January 5, 2020.
6. Web site: Trump nominates third gay ambassador. July 29, 2019.
7. Web site: Gilchrist, Robert S. - Republic of Lithuania - August 2019. United States Department of State. en-US. January 5, 2020.
8. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-appoint-personnel-key-administration-posts-28/ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts" White House, July 22, 2019
9. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/six-nominations-sent-senate-4/ "Six Nominations Sent to the Senate", White House, August 1, 2019
10. Web site: Trump's gay ambassadorial pick handles questions on Russia's hostility . Johnson . Chris . October 29, 2019 . Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights . en-US . February 11, 2020.
11. Web site: PN1036 - Nomination of Robert S. Gilchrist for Department of State, 116th Congress (2019-2020) . December 19, 2019 . www.congress.gov . February 11, 2020.
12. Web site: Veteran Gay Diplomat Confirmed as Ambassador to Lithuania . December 20, 2019 . www.advocate.com . en . February 11, 2020.
13. Web site: Senate confirms fifth openly gay ambassador under Trump . Johnson . Chris . December 21, 2019 . Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights . en-US . February 11, 2020.
14. Web site: U.S. Ambassador Robert S. Gilchrist presents credentials to President Nausėda . U.S. Embassy in Lithuania . February 4, 2020 . February 14, 2020.
15. Web site: September 11, 2023 . Robert S. Gilchrist . November 14, 2023 . United States Department of State . en-US.