Ex-Congresswoman Michelle Steel nominated as ambassador to South Korea

The 70-year-old Republican must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before assuming the post.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:05am

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A serene, painterly image of an American flag gently waving in the warm light of a political office, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and transition.The nomination of a former Republican congresswoman to a prestigious diplomatic post underscores the evolving political landscape and diversity of U.S. representation on the global stage.Los Angeles Today

Former Orange County congresswoman Michelle Steel has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. Steel, a 70-year-old Republican, lost her 45th Congressional District seat in a close 2024 race to a Democratic challenger. She previously served as an Orange County supervisor and represented the 48th and 45th Congressional Districts from 2021 to 2025.

Why it matters

Steel's nomination represents a high-profile diplomatic appointment for a former Republican member of Congress who lost her reelection bid. As a Korean-American, her nomination also reflects the growing diversity of U.S. diplomatic representation.

The details

Steel was born in South Korea and raised in Japan before moving to the United States at age 19. She served as an Orange County supervisor and then represented California's 48th and 45th Congressional Districts from 2021 to 2025. Steel lost her 45th District seat in a close 2024 election to a Democratic challenger.

  • Steel was nominated by President Trump in April 2026.
  • Steel must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before assuming the ambassador role.

The players

Michelle Steel

A 70-year-old former Republican congresswoman from Orange County, California who has been nominated to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who nominated Steel for the ambassador position.

Derek Tran

The Democratic challenger who defeated Steel in the 2024 election for California's 45th Congressional District.

Will O'Neill

The chair of the Orange County Republican Party, who praised Steel's nomination.

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What they’re saying

“Congresswoman Michelle Steel is a proud American patriot who has served her county, state and country for decades. Now she has the opportunity to serve as our nation's representative in the nation where she was born. On behalf of the Republicans throughout Orange County, we applaud this nomination from President Trump and encourage the U.S. Senate to move swiftly to confirm Rep. Steel.”

— Will O'Neill, Orange County Republican Party Chair

What’s next

The U.S. Senate must confirm Steel's nomination before she can assume the ambassador role.

The takeaway

Steel's nomination reflects the growing diversity of U.S. diplomatic representation, as a Korean-American former Republican member of Congress who lost her reelection bid. Her confirmation will be closely watched as a high-profile appointment by the former Trump administration.