Nick Schmit is a former U.S. State Department assistant chief of protocol and the husband of journalist and television host Jonathan Capehart. His public career includes diplomatic partnerships, and later coverage has identified him with public affairs and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
What did Nick Schmit do at the State Department?
Schmit served as assistant chief of protocol in the State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol during the Obama administration. The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s record of appointments lists him in that position, alongside other officials who served across the federal government.
His work included helping connect foreign representatives with American businesses. In WLRN’s January 2014 reporting, he was identified more specifically as assistant chief of protocol for diplomatic partnerships. The report covered Experience America, a State Department programme that brought ambassadors based in Washington to Miami.
Schmit explained that the visit aimed to encourage economic partnerships and give ambassadors opportunities to meet business leaders and entrepreneurs. The participating envoys represented almost three dozen countries. Their itinerary included local business ventures, PortMiami, Florida International University’s hurricane research facility and the Wynwood art and design district.
That account gives a concrete picture of his responsibilities: bringing diplomatic representatives into contact with communities and commercial activity beyond Washington. It also explains the “diplomatic partnerships” part of his title. In this instance, the work centred on introductions and exposure to potential business opportunities, with Miami serving as the setting for those exchanges.
How has his later professional work been described?
Public coverage provides some later snapshots of Schmit’s career. In a June 2024 event roundup, Washingtonian described him as a global public affairs strategist. He was pictured with Capehart at the White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch that April.
The Embassy of Monaco’s review of 2024 also identified Schmit as affiliated with the U.S. Commerce Department. The newsletter pictured him and Capehart among guests at a February celebration marking the Princess Grace Foundation-USA’s 40th anniversary. It did not specify his Commerce job title.
When did he marry Jonathan Capehart?
Schmit and Capehart married in 2017. An Equality Forum profile published by Qnotes describes Schmit as Capehart’s longtime partner and identifies former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as the wedding officiant.
Capehart has continued to discuss Schmit publicly as his husband. In an August 2025 interview with Martha’s Vineyard Magazine, he spoke about their shared visits to the island. A January 2026 interview with The Advocate also identified Schmit as his husband.
What has Capehart shared about their life together?
In Martha’s Vineyard Magazine’s interview, Capehart described Schmit as a North Dakotan and recalled their enthusiasm for the island’s diversity. He explained that Martha’s Vineyard had become a place where he felt comfortable and at home.
The conversation accompanied Capehart’s memoir, Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man’s Search for Home. Discussing what home meant to him, Capehart included his husband, his mother and close friends among the people who gave him that sense of belonging. His account offers a personal view of the marriage through shared experiences and relationships.
Have they adopted children?
Capehart directly rejected online stories claiming that he and Schmit had adopted children. In his January 2026 interview with The Advocate, he said those accounts were untrue. That correction addresses the specific adoption claims; it should not be expanded into assumptions about the couple’s private family plans.
B. Sources
- LGBTQ+ Victory Institute: “LGBTQ Appointments in the Obama-Biden Administration”. Publication/update date not displayed. Supports Schmit’s historical appointment. LGBTQ+ Victory Institute
- WLRN Public Media: “World Ambassadors Explore Trade Opportunities In Miami”, by Hillary Lindwall. Published 16 January 2014. Original reporting includes Schmit’s explanation of Experience America. WLRN
- Washingtonian: “Scarlett Johansson, Colin Jost, Chris Pine: Photos of the Best of Parties Around DC”, by Dan Swartz. Published 21 June 2024. Identifies Schmit as a global public affairs strategist. washingtonian.com
- Embassy of the Principality of Monaco to the United States & Canada: “The Year in Review — 2024”, page 28. Publication date not stated in the document. Identifies Schmit’s Commerce affiliation at the 2024 event. 2024
- Qnotes / Equality Forum: “LGBT History Month — October 8: Jonathan Capehart”. Published 8 October 2018; page also displays 11 October 2018. Supports the wedding year and officiant. QnotesCarolinas.com
- Martha’s Vineyard Magazine: “An American Story”, by Sydney Bender. Published 28 August 2025. Direct interview supporting the shared-life details. An American Story
- The Advocate: “Jonathan Capehart on being seen, coming out, and ‘chosen family’ with Michelle Obama”, by Christopher Wiggins. Published 28 January 2026. Direct interview confirming the relationship and correcting adoption claims.
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