After the departure of United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley weeks ago, who will stay in her post until the end of the year, the Trump Administration may be getting ready to announce her successor to the world’s governing body. The position is rumored to be filled by former Fox News host and current State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.
She has held positions at several news organizations during her two decades as a journalist, having a much shorter government career that began in April 2017. Following the dismissal of Steve Goldstein on March 13, 2018 after the firing of then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Nauert was named acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
The White House has been unwilling to comment on the matter, even after Nauert met with President Donald Trump on Monday. Nevertheless, in a report from CNN, the President said that Nauert is “under very serious consideration” to become the next U.S. ambassador to the UN.
“She’s excellent. She’s been with us a long time. She’s been a supporter for a long time. And she’s really excellent,” Trump said. “We’ll probably make a decision next week. We have a lot of people that want the job and they’re a lot of really great people.”
The current contenders to replace Haley are also said to be U.S. Ambassador to Germany Ric Grennell, U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and Principality of Monaco Jamie McCourt, and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft. President Trump has repeatedly reiterated that he wants a woman to fill the role at the UN.
When a pick is selected, which is presumed to be Nauert, a Senate confirmation hearing will be undertaken. The Senate voted 96-4 to confirm Haley to represent the U.S. at UN in early 2017.
Following what occurred during the most recent confirmation hearing with Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, it is safe to assume that Democrats will grill the former “Fox & Friends” host about qualifications for the vital role.