Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Border Patrol veteran Brandon Judd pledges to prioritize security, counter China if confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Chile
Loading...
Summary
Brandon Judd, a long-serving U.S. Border Patrol official and President Trump—s nominee for ambassador to Chile, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he would focus on border security cooperation, countering transnational criminal organizations and addressing Chinese economic influence in Chile if confirmed.
Brandon Judd, President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Chile, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 8, 2025, that he would make border security, curbing transnational criminal organizations and strengthening bilateral economic ties priority items if confirmed.
Judd, a retired U.S. Border Patrol official who served as president of the National Border Patrol Council, said his career experience on the U.S. border would inform efforts to deepen cooperation with Chile on illegal migration, organized crime and security. "Make it a cornerstone of my ambassadorship to work with Chile to deepen our ability to work together in curbing illegal immigration, combating violent criminal organizations, and enhancing border security," Judd said.
Senators used the hearing to press Judd on two main themes: China’s growing economic presence in Latin America, including in Chile’s mineral sector, and how a U.S. ambassador should conduct himself during a foreign election year. Judd said Chile is a strong democracy and that the United States already has deeper, long-standing trade and research ties — including in Antarctica and astronomy — that the U.S. can leverage to remain Chile’s preferred partner. He warned that China views South America as a "soft landing spot" and said the U.S. must offer competitive economic opportunities to prevent overreliance on Chinese investment.
On the question of elections, ranking member Jeanne Shaheen asked whether Judd would avoid any perception of interfering in Chilean elections. Judd committed to not influencing foreign elections and said the ambassador—s role is to support Chilean democracy and economic opportunity, not to favor particular candidates.
Senators also discussed Chile—s strategic mineral resources — notably lithium — and the role of U.S. firms. Judd noted that a substantial share of Chilean lithium production went to China in the prior year and argued the United States should expand U.S. private investment and trade ties to provide Chile better partnership alternatives.
Judd did not receive a committee vote during the hearing; members were told the record would remain open through the committee—s deadline for questions for the record.
Ending: The committee moved to additional questioning of other nominees; letters of support and answers to written questions will be added to the record through April 9, 2025.
