The first openly gay ambassador pick during President Donald Trump’s tenure was narrowly appointed to be the U.S. envoy to Germany on Thursday, as the Foreign Relations Committee recommended the appointment of Richard Grenell in an 11-10 vote, Newsweek reports.
Grenell previously served as a U.S. spokesman at the United Nations during President George W. Bush’s administration. He also worked as a strategist for Senator John McCain during his 2000 presidential campaign and has appeared as a foreign affairs commentator on Fox News.
While Grenell worked at the United Nations, he focused much of his work with Germany and sanctions against Iran. He is particularly critical of the Iran Deal that was brokered by world powers during the Obama administration, Newsweek notes.
Grenell and Trump also agree on many other political ideals, such as the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. However, while Grenell’s relationship with the president might be going well, other senators aren’t too fond of him. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut told the Associated Press that Grenell has made “derogatory comments about the appearance of Hillary Clinton; former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; and Callista Gingrich, the wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.”
Under the Obama administration, six LGBT ambassadors were appointed. The first openly gay ambassador, James Hormel, was appointed by then-President Bill Clinton in 1999.
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