President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday he would nominate Matthew Whitaker, who was briefly the top U.S. law enforcement official in his first administration, to be ambassador to NATO, a diplomatic post that could see its profile raised next year as alliance members brace themselves for how Trump might try to end to war in Ukraine.
Whitaker, a longtime Trump loyalist, doesn’t have diplomatic experience. His national security experience primarily stems from his time as acting attorney general, a position he held for three months after the November 2018 midterm elections until Attorney General William Barr was confirmed. He left shortly thereafter.
“Matt is a strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended,” Trump said in a statement. “Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability – He will put AMERICA FIRST.”
