President Trump announced Friday that he will nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to succeed Nikki Haley as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“Heather Nauert will be nominated [for U.S. ambassador]. She’s done work with Nikki Haley to replace Nikki at the United Nations. She will be ambassador to the United Nations,” Trump told reporters on the White House lawn before departing for a trip to Kansas City, Mo.
“She’s very talented, very smart, very quick, and I think she’s going to be respected by all.”
Trump made the announcement while also saying he would be nominating William Barr to attorney general to replace Jeff Sessions on a permanent basis. Sessions resigned last month at the president’s request and the post is being filled in the interim by Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker — an appointment that continues to draw considerable criticism from congressional Democrats.
Trump followed up his in-person statement to the press with a tweet during his flight to Missouri that portraying the same message.
“I am pleased to announce that Heather Nauert, Spokeswoman for the United States Department of State, will be nominated to serve as United Nations Ambassador,” Trump tweeted Friday. “I want to congratulate Heather, and thank Ambassador Nikki Haley for her great service to our Country!”
I am pleased to announce that Heather Nauert, Spokeswoman for the United States Department of State, will be nominated to serve as United Nations Ambassador. I want to congratulate Heather, and thank Ambassador Nikki Haley for her great service to our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2018
Nauert has been on the reported U.N. post shortlist for days. Multiple Thursday night reports confirmed that Trump would pick the former Fox News correspondent and “Fox & Friends” co-host as U.S. ambassador to the UN.
Haley announced in October that she would step down from her diplomatic post after nearly two years in the position. The former South Carolina governor was sworn in as ambassador on Jan. 25, 2017, just days after Trump took office.
Reports indicated that others considered to replace Haley were U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft, and former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell.
Trump also said that he would be making another announcement regarding appointments on Saturday, saying that it would have to do with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“I have another one for tomorrow I will be announcing at the Army-Navy game,” Trump said. “It will have to do with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and succession. I look forward to telling you, and I will see you later.”
Gen. Joseph Dunford is retiring next year, and Trump’s teaser indicates that he will announce his successor at the Army-Navy game over the weekend in Philadelphia.
