President Donald Trump is considering former Michigan Senate candidate John James to take the place of the outgoing U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Fox News informed.
James, who did not manage to defeat Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., this month, was in D.C. last week to meet and interview with Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and National Security Adviser John Bolton, a source said.
Bloomberg News first reported that James, a businessman and Iraq War veteran, was under consideration for the position.
Haley announced in October that she would resign from her position at Turtle Bay in January, with the move sparking intense speculation as to who will take her place.
State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert quickly emerged as a favorite, with two sources familiar with the selection process telling Fox News last month that she was a “leading contender.”
Nauert recently met with Trump in the Oval Office, though it is not known if they discussed the position. But Trump told reporters earlier this month that, while he was considering Nauert, there was still “plenty of time” and he intended to make the decision in “the next few weeks.”
Several other officials have been considered as potential candidates, including U.S. Ambassador to France Jamie McCourt and U.S Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell. Two senior Trump administration officials told Fox News in October that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was among the candidates being considered to replace Haley.
Trump’s daughter Ivanka took herself out of the running in a tweet after some speculation that she may be tapped for the post.
The Detroit News cited sources saying that, if James were appointed, a person with experience as an ambassador would likely be appointed his deputy.
Be the first to comment