Chicago – November 20, 2024
Trump Names Matthew Whitaker as U.S. Ambassador to NATO
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Matthew Whitaker, a former acting attorney general, as the U.S. ambassador to NATO for his upcoming second term. NATO, the alliance formed to defend Europe against threats like Russia, has been a point of criticism for Trump, who believes European countries should spend more on their defense.
“Matt is a strong warrior and loyal patriot,” Trump said in a statement, adding that Whitaker will prioritize U.S. interests, strengthen ties with NATO allies, and promote peace and stability while putting “America First.”
Whitaker briefly served as acting attorney general from November 2018 to February 2019, after Jeff Sessions was fired and before Bill Barr took over. His appointment then faced legal and political challenges because he hadn’t been Senate-confirmed for his prior role as Sessions’ chief of staff.
A former U.S. attorney in Iowa, Whitaker is known for his conservative views. In 2016, he wrote an opinion piece arguing that Hillary Clinton should have been indicted for her use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state.
