David Wilezol

David Wilezol joined AFPC as the Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy in May 2021. His work covers American foreign policy, public diplomacy and information operations, Chinese international relations, European international relations, human rights, and Iran, among other topics.

Prior to coming to AFPC, David served as Chief Speechwriter to the Secretary at the U.S. State Department from 2017-2021. Working closely with Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Tillerson, David helped give voice to the Trump Administration’s foreign policy initiatives on key issues such as China, Iran, American economic competitiveness, international religious freedom, North Korea, and Middle East peace and prosperity.

A graduate of American University (B.A., History) and The Catholic University of America (M.A., Latin; Graduate Certificate, Ancient Greek), David started his career as a writer and radio producer for former U.S. Secretary of Education Bill Bennett. Their work together included co-authoring the book “Is College Worth It?” – an incisive look at the economics of higher education.

David later served as the speechwriter for Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus from 2015-2017.

Writings under his own byline have previously appeared in Newsweek, The Washington Times, Roll Call, National Review Online, Forbes, and FoxNews.com.

David has previously been a Publius Fellow and Speechwriting Fellow at the Claremont Institute.