Leo Brent Bozell III, US President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to South Africa, faced tough questioning from Democratic senators during his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday. He declined to directly address concerns over race-based refugee admissions and voting laws, instead emphasizing his role in serving the president's agenda. Bozell outlined plans to press South Africa on foreign alignments and property rights if confirmed.
During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on October 23, 2025, Leo Brent Bozell III, a prominent conservative from a well-known family, was interrogated by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Chris Murphy about his views on sensitive racial issues. Van Hollen challenged Bozell on Trump's claim of a genocide against white Afrikaners in South Africa, asking if he agreed with the "legally and morally absurd" assertion. Bozell responded, "I'm not a lawyer, so I can't address it that way," avoiding a direct yes or no.
The senator also questioned the proposed reduction of US refugee admissions to around 7,500, with most slots reportedly going to white South Africans. "Do you agree that we should not have a refugee policy that's based on race?" Van Hollen asked. Bozell deflected, noting "thousands of attacks" on white farmers and their fears for safety, but insisted he would implement presidential directives. Murphy pressed further: "Do you support having a refugee admissions policy in this country that only admits white refugees?" Bozell replied, "Senator, I don't make that policy," and later added, "My personal views are irrelevant. I am serving here to do what the president is asking me to do in South Africa."
Murphy raised the prospect of reinstating laws allowing only white people to vote, to which Bozell again sidestepped, focusing on his ambassadorial role. On historical matters, Bozell confirmed conservatives opposed the 1986 Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act due to the ANC's Soviet ties but shifted views post-Berlin Wall, now expressing respect for Nelson Mandela as South Africa's most revered figure.
If confirmed, Bozell pledged to approach relations with respect, highlighting South Africa as the US's largest African trading partner, with over 500 US businesses employing more than 250,000 locals. He acknowledged strained ties, citing US concerns over property rights risks, crime, corruption, and unfair practices. Priorities include communicating objections to South Africa's alignments with Russia, China, and Iran; urging an end to its International Court of Justice case against Israel; advancing invitations for Afrikaners fleeing discrimination; supporting safety measures; opposing land expropriation without compensation; and fostering fair trade and critical minerals partnerships to counter Chinese influence.