State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert is President Trump’s first choice to replace outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, according to a new report.
Trump has expressed to advisers that Nauert is his top candidate and may make an official offer to her this week, sources familiar with the situation told CNN. The decision isn’t finalized yet, and the White House declined to provide a comment to CNN.
Some outlets including Fox News have reported that the position has been offered to Nauert already, but it’s uncertain if she has responded.
It was reported earlier this week that Nauert, a former Fox News host who is now a State Department spokesperson and acting under secretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, talked with Trump about the position on Monday.
Nauert worked as a contributor and a correspondent for Fox News from 1998 to 2005. She later moved to ABC News for two years before returning to Fox News and became a “Fox & Friends” host in 2012. Nauert joined the State Department in April 2017.
Other candidates that Trump has considered for the position include U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell and U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco Jamie McCourt, who reportedly communicated with Trump about the job last week.
Haley announced earlier this month that she was stepping down from her post and would officially leave by the end of the year, and Trump said that Haley would help him select her successor.
