New US Ambassador Brent Christensen and spouse arrive in Dhaka

Brent Christensen, a career foreign service official, was sworn in as the new US Ambassador to Bangladesh on 10 January 2026, diplomatic sources have informed. Brent Christensen and his wife Deanne Dao have meanwhile arrived in Dhaka.

Deputy Secretary of US State for Management and Resources, Michael J Rigas administered the oath at the State Department's Foggy Bottom headquarters.

"Ambassador Christensen brings deep experience and expertise in US-Bangladesh relations," the US Bureau of South and Central Asia said on X.

"We look forward to his leadership in strengthening our trade partnership and promoting US interests in Bangladesh."

Christensen now heads to Dhaka with over 20 years of experience working on US policy towards Bangladesh across his foreign service career, including a prior tour in Dhaka.

On X, it said the US Embassy in Dhaka is pleased to welcome Christensen as the newly sworn-in Ambassador to Bangladesh.

"I am thrilled to return to Bangladesh, a country I know so well. I am excited to lead a great team at Embassy Dhaka, Americans and locally employed staff alike, to enhance US-Bangladesh relations, advance President Trump's agenda, and work hard every day to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous," the newly appointed US Ambassador said.