CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A former state lawmaker and current Charleston-area lawyer, Peter McCoy, was named the United States’ ambassador to Montenegro, according to a White House announcement.
If confirmed by the United States Senate, McCoy would represent the United States in the relatively small Balkan nation. Montenegro boasts a population of 633,552, according to data provided by the World Health Organization in 2023.
The timing of McCoy’s Senate confirmation hasn’t been made public.
McCoy’s nomination marks the latest South Carolinian to be tapped to work within the Trump administration. In April, former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer was nominated to be the United States’ ambassador to Belize.
“Congratulations to Andre Bauer for being nominated to be the Ambassador to Belize, an important ally to the United States,” Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote on social media at the time. “Andre will do a great job. I look forward to helping him with his nomination and getting him through the Senate as soon as possible.”
Bauer has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.
As for McCoy, he previously served as U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, nominated by President Donald Trump, from March 30, 2020, to Feb. 28, 2021.
During his time as the district attorney, he targeted fraud, civil wrongdoing, and criminal activity related to the coronavirus, and attacked public corruption. Prior to his time working at the federal level, McCoy was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2010.
Montenegro first established its independence in 2006. The country doesn’t have its own currency, opting to use the Euro. Montenegro is not currently a member of the European Union, but it is an official candidate country and the frontrunner to join the bloc.
Montenegro is a member of NATO. The country officially joined the alliance on June 5, 2017, becoming its 29th member.