Social media usage

As ambassador to Mexico, Landau was noted for his heavy usage of social media. In 2020, he launched a challenge on Twitter to boost his follower count in order to exceed the 150,000 followers boasted by the U.S. ambassador to Greece, noting his follower count was only 40,000 despite Mexico's much larger population. Landau tweeted in Spanish "This is an outrage! … Mexico has to be #1!" By July 2020, Landau's follower count had exploded to 245,000, in what Slate described as providing "an unexpected lesson in American digital diplomacy."^[25]

In September 2020, Landau was accused of cyberbullying a Mexican college student who criticized him on Twitter. Landau replied by sarcastically saying, "Obviously, your great education and knowledge of the world would allow you to do diplomatic work much better than the 'rudimentary' communications of this 'white foreigner.' " The student reportedly closed their account on Twitter following the exchange.^[26]

Nomination

Landau was nominated to be deputy secretary of state by President-elect Donald Trump on December 8, 2024.^[27] Top Trump official Stephen Miller had lobbied for his appointment.^[28] On the day of his appointment, Landau declared that one of his priorities would be the relationship between the United States and Mexico. His appointment was welcomed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said he had done a "very good job" as U.S. ambassador to Mexico.^[29]

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 4, 2025, Landau supported the dismantling of USAID and proposed that it be replaced by private sector investment.^[30] He also asserted that China was the United States' main strategic competitor, and that they would have to work with their allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, such as the members of ASEAN and QUAD. Landau called for a reduction in the U.S. trade deficit.^[31] He also stated that he believes in the rule of law and will implement all laws passed by Congress. The committee voted 16–6 in favor of his nomination on March 12, 2025. Landau won the support of some Democrats.^[32]

Tenure

On March 24, 2025 the Senate confirmed his nomination 60–31^[33] and he was sworn in as the twenty-third United States deputy secretary of state the following day.^[34] One of his first actions was a call on March 26, 2025 with the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Juan Ramón de la Fuente, in which Landau pledged to strengthen the bilateral relationship between their two countries.^[35] On the same day, he had a call with the Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein in which Landau praised Argentina's role in the region and its protection of political opponents of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.^[36]