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Matthew Whitaker Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to NATO

The Senate's approval places a Trump loyalist with limited foreign policy experience in a key role as the U.S. pushes NATO allies to increase defense spending.

Former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Aug. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
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Overview

  • The U.S. Senate confirmed Matthew Whitaker as ambassador to NATO in a 52-45 vote late Tuesday night.
  • Whitaker, a former acting attorney general under Trump, has a background in law enforcement but limited foreign policy experience, raising concerns among some lawmakers.
  • During his confirmation hearing, Whitaker emphasized the Trump administration's 'ironclad' commitment to NATO while advocating for allies to boost defense spending to at least 5% of their GDP.
  • President Trump praised Whitaker as a 'strong warrior and loyal patriot' who will prioritize advancing U.S. interests within the alliance.
  • Whitaker's first major task as ambassador will be attending a NATO summit in Brussels alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where U.S. leadership and alliance dynamics will be key topics.