US: Trump Taps Up Former Acting AG Whitaker As NATO Ambassador

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to serve as his ambassador to NATO. Whitaker will assume the role during a period of heightened tensions with Russia and uncertainty about the future of the alliance under Trump.

• Trump said in a statement on Truth Social: "I have full confidence in Matt's ability to represent the United States with Strength, Integrity, and unwavering Dedication. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to promote PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, Freedom, and Prosperity around the World."
• Trump is widely expected to take a hard line on NATO members who fail to deliver on an alliance commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said shortly after Trump's election win: “He is right about this. You will not get there with the 2 percent," signalling an intent to work with Trump.
• The immediate reaction from the press is that Whitaker's selection is likely designed to "ruffle some feathers at NATO," and follows a recent trend of exec branch nominees, including Matt Gaetz for AG and Tulsi Gabbard for DNI, who have a strong personal relationship with Trump.
• However, Whitaker may not be as Ukraine-sceptical as some other potential options. He advocated onFox News as recently as March 2022 for the Biden administration to back Kyiv with heavy weaponry in order to defend NATO's eastern flank.