US Ambassador Pressman’s possible successor lashes out: “Please stop this nonsense”

The current US ambassador was recalled due to the election but has not stopped criticising the Hungarian government. One of the possible next US ambassadors, Bryan E. Leib, sent a clear message to his predecessor.

The Biden administration’s mission in Hungary is about to expire for David Pressman, who has had numerous conflicts with the Hungarian government. The ambassador has been outspoken and blunt in his criticism of Orbán. These criticisms included the excellent relationship with aggressor Russia, Beijing’s main alliance with Budapest in the EU, and the obstruction of arms aid for Ukraine’s defence.

In his latest X post, Pressman wrote:

Returned to Memento Park today – each time I have visited, from the mid-90s to today, I am struck not only by the mementos of authoritarianism it presents but by its stark reminder of what it takes to stand up for dignity and democracy and the unstoppable spirit of Hungarians to be free from tyranny and corruption.

Leib critics

The succession is unclear, but according to government press reports, Republican politician Bryan E. Leib will replace Pressman as ambassador to Budapest. The former US candidate, foreign policy analyst, and senior fellow at the Center for Fundamental Rights most recently spoke officially at the Pro Israel conference in Budapest on 1 October and met with Hungarian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Péter Sztáray.

Leib has responded to Pressman’s criticisms on several occasions recently, and has now sent him a new message regarding his post on Memento Park:

The Hungarians have already been freed from tyranny. David, please stop this nonsense. You have done a lot of damage to the US-Hungarian relationship, but we will make it right on 20 January 2025,” Leib wrote.

In a recent interview with The European Conservative, he said, “Pressman’s behaviour was excessively unprofessional and he has shamed us as Americans. Please allow me to apologise for this behaviour on behalf of the American people. He was simply an activist, not a diplomat.”

And back in November, Lieb said on Kossuth Radio:

“When we look at the impact of the last election, of course the main beneficiaries of President Trump’s return to the White House will be the American people, but our allies around the world will also benefit, while our enemies will be filled with fear of what is to come. When people ask me which countries stand to benefit most from another 4 years of President Trump, I always answer Israel and Hungary. And as we have already alluded to, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has done a wonderful job of building a European conservative movement of like-minded friends and allies. I also believe that this is a special opportunity for the Hungarian Prime Minister to become a major point of reference in the political landscape in Europe. He will certainly enjoy the unfailing support of President-elect Trump. I think that the next four years will be really serious and exciting for the US-Hungarian alliance. For example, I would like to see direct flights between the two countries, and maybe we can achieve that.”

Other potential candidates for the US ambassadorship to Budapest

Other potential candidates for the ambassadorship to Budapest, besides Lieb, include Nancy Brinker and David Cornstein, the first ambassador under the Trump administration.

Read also: New survey: How much do Hungarians trust Trump to end the Russia–Ukraine war?