John J. Sullivan (diplomat)
John Joseph Sullivan (born November 20, 1959) is an American attorney and government official who served as the United States Ambassador to Russia from 2020 to 2022, and who previously served as the 19th United States Deputy Secretary of State from 2017 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Sullivan served as Acting United States Secretary of State from April 1, 2018, to April 26, 2018, following President Donald Trump's dismissal of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on March 13, 2018, until Tillerson's official successor, Mike Pompeo, was sworn in. Tillerson did not officially leave office until March 31, 2018. Sullivan, however, was delegated all responsibilities of the Secretary of State beginning March 13.
John J. Sullivan | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2017 | |
| 10th United States Ambassador to Russia | |
| In office February 5, 2020 – September 4, 2022 | |
| President | Donald Trump Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Jon Huntsman Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Lynne Tracy |
| 19th United States Deputy Secretary of State | |
| In office May 24, 2017 – December 20, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Antony Blinken |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Biegun |
| United States Secretary of State | |
Acting | |
| In office April 1, 2018 – April 26, 2018 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Rex Tillerson |
| Succeeded by | Mike Pompeo |
| 14th United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce | |
| In office March 14, 2008 – January 20, 2009 Acting: September 1, 2007 – March 14, 2008 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | David A. Sampson |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Hightower |
| General Counsel of the United States Department of Commerce | |
| In office July 22, 2005 – March 14, 2008 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Theodore Kassinger |
| Succeeded by | Lily Fu Claffee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Joseph Sullivan November 20, 1959 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Grace Rodriguez (deceased) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Brown University (BA) Columbia University (JD) |
On October 11, 2019, President Trump nominated Sullivan to be the United States Ambassador to Russia. On December 12, 2019, the United States Senate confirmed his nomination by a 70–22 vote.
Sullivan remained Ambassador to Russia during the presidential transition of Joe Biden. On September 4, 2022, Sullivan left Moscow and stated he would retire. The U.S. deputy chief of mission in Russia, Elizabeth Rood, replaced Sullivan as the top U.S. diplomat in Moscow until a permanent successor was named. The White House on September 20 announced the nomination of Lynne Tracy, former U.S. ambassador to Armenia, to the post.