Trump chooses former performing Lawyer Common Matt Whitaker as NATO ambassador

By JILL COLVIN and ERIC TUCKER, Related Press

Donald Trump says he has chosen former performing Lawyer Common Matt Whitaker to function U.S. ambassador to NATO, the bedrock Western alliance that the president-elect has repeatedly expressed skepticism about.

Trump, in a press release, mentioned Whitaker was “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.”

The selection of Whitaker because the nation’s consultant to the North Atlantic Treaty Group is an uncommon one, given his background is as a lawyer and never in overseas coverage.

Whitaker, a former U.S. legal professional in Iowa, served as performing legal professional common between November 2018 and February 2019, as particular counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference was drawing to a detailed.

Earlier than then, he was chief of employees to Trump’s first legal professional common, Jeff Classes, earlier than being picked to switch his boss after Classes was fired amid lingering outrage over his resolution to withdraw from the Russia investigation. Whitaker held the place for a number of months, on an performing foundation and with out Senate affirmation, till William Barr was confirmed as legal professional common in February 2019.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to not defend NATO members that fail to fulfill the transatlantic alliance’s protection spending targets. NATO’s Article 5 mutual protection clause states that an armed assault towards a number of of its members shall be thought-about an assault towards all members

Earlier this yr, Trump mentioned that, when he was president, he warned NATO allies that he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to international locations which can be “delinquent” as he ramped up his assaults on overseas assist and long-standing worldwide alliances.

Colvin reported from New York.

Initially Printed: November 20, 2024 at 8:09 AM PST