Trump chooses Matthew Whitaker for NATO Ambassador Post

President-elect Donald Trump announced he appointed former Prosecutor General Matt Whitaker for the post of future US ambassador to NATO. Mr. Trump has repeatedly expressed scepticism towards the Western alliance.

By a statement, the president-elect said Mr. Whitaker is “a loyal fighter and patriot” who “will secure the advancement and protection of the interests of the United States”, as well as strengthen relations with our NATO allies and stand firm in the face of threats to peace and stability”.

Mr. Whitaker's election as NATO representative is unusual, given his experience as a lawyer and not in foreign policy.

Mr. Whitaker, a former prosecutor in the state of Ajeva, served as attorney general in office from November 2018 to February 2019, in the final stages of investigating Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller for Russian intervention in the election.

Earlier, he had been chief of Mr. Trump's first Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, before being elected to replace his boss after Mr. Sessions was dismissed amid disappointments over his decision to withdraw from Russia's investigation.

Mr. Whitaker held his post for several months until William Barr was confirmed as attorney general in February 2019. He has been a fierce critic of federal criminal cases against Mr. Trump, who will apparently be closed after his election victory, according to a Justice Department practice under which the incumbent presidents cannot be charged with criminal acts.

Mr. Whitaker has used regular presentations at Fox News to join other Republicans, denouncing what they claim is the politicisation of the Department of Justice over the past four years.

President-elect Trump has repeatedly warned that he will not protect NATO members who do not meet the goal of protecting the transatlantic alliance.

According to the clause for mutual protection envisioned by NATO's Article 5, an armed attack on one or more of its members is seen as an attack on all members.

Earlier this year, Mr. Trump said that when he was president, he warned NATO allies that “would encourage” Russia “did whatever it wanted” on countries that do not meet the obligation of NATO's budget, while adding attacks on foreign assistance and international historical alliances. /voa