Trump taps loyal ally Matt Whitaker to key NATO ambassador role

Former acting US Attorney General Matt Whitaker was appointed on November 20 as the US ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in President-elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming administration.

Announcing the decision, Trump praised Whitaker as a “strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended”, Caliber.Az reports via US media sources.

“Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability – He will put America first,” Trump added in a news release.

Whitaker’s appointment to the NATO post is significant, given Trump’s past criticisms of the alliance. Trump has frequently questioned NATO’s financial structure, highlighting what he perceives as disproportionate US spending and obligations. On the 2024 campaign trail, Trump has suggested the US might reconsider its defence commitments to NATO allies who fail to meet financial contributions.

During a February rally in South Carolina, Trump recounted an interaction with a foreign leader:
“One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, would you protect us?’ I said, ‘You didn’t pay, you’re delinquent?’ He said, ‘yes.’ No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You’ve got to pay.”

As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, NATO’s role in maintaining European security has been a bipartisan priority for US lawmakers. Discussions around Ukraine’s potential NATO membership have added complexity to the alliance’s future. However, US policy on Ukraine under a second Trump administration remains uncertain. Notably, US Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick for US ambassador to the United Nations, has reportedly stepped back from her earlier support for Ukraine’s NATO membership.

Although Whitaker lacks direct foreign policy or national security experience, his legal career has been closely tied to Trump’s political rise. He served as acting attorney general from November 2018 to February 2019, following Jeff Sessions’ resignation, and previously worked as Sessions’ chief of staff.

Whitaker’s early career included serving as US Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 2004 to 2009. Before joining Trump’s administration, he made several bids for public office in Iowa, including an unsuccessful US Senate campaign in 2014 and a state treasurer run in 2002.

Throughout Trump’s 2024 campaign, Whitaker was a visible ally, frequently rallying for the former president in Iowa and swing states like Pennsylvania. His staunch defence of Trump amid ongoing legal challenges cemented his role as a trusted supporter.

Trump’s recent announcements for his cabinet and key positions have drawn attention for their bold choices. Earlier this month, he nominated US Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general, a decision sparking controversy as Gaetz faces a congressional ethics investigation.

Whitaker, a native of Iowa and former University of Iowa football player brings a mix of legal expertise and campaign loyalty to the NATO ambassadorship, a role set to be pivotal in navigating US-Europe relations during Trump’s second administration.

By Tamilla Hasanova