Posted: 2:03 am ET
Updated: 2:31 pm PT
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The following report may explain the slow announcement of ambassador picks under the Trump administration. To-date, only two ambassador’s postings have been announced, China and Israel. The nominee for Israel, David Friedman has a scheduled confirmation hearing this week. Terry Branstad’s nomination as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China was sent to the Senate on January 20 but so far, no schedule has been announced by the SFRC. Note that Nikki Haley was previously announced as Trump’s pick for the UN and was confirmed by the Senate on January 24. Her official title is United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, an ambassador-rank position; it is also a cabinet level position.
For a list of ambassadorships that may be the cause of the reported standoff between Secretary Tillerson and WH Chief of Staff Priebus, see America’s Cushiest Ambassadorships Will Go Vacant By Inauguration Day.
Via the WSJ:
Senior White House advisers have suggested to cabinet secretaries or nominees that they need to be consulted on all personnel and policy decisions, creating friction between the agencies and the White House officials who have been permanently stationed inside their buildings.
Many of the U.S. ambassadorships remain unfilled, a result of a standoff between Mr. Tillerson and Mr. Priebus, the chief of staff, said people familiar with the process.
Below is a round-up of names floated around as possible picks for ambassadorships to Canada, Austria, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Czech Republic, and the UK.
Ex-Senator Scott Brown to New Zealand
Sarah Palin to Canada, to Canada. Or not.
Patrick Park, Sound of Music Fan to Austria?
From Palm Beach — Robin Bernstein to the Dominican Republic? Brian Burns to Ireland?
Major Campaign Donors Lewis Eisenberg to Italy, William Hagerty to Japan?
Woody Johnson to the United Kingdom, but role not official?
Ivana to the Czech Republic, and she’ll get agrément?
Ted Malloch, potential European Union pick attacks the EU?
Miami Marlins owner Jeff Loria to head to France?
GOP activist Georgette Mosbacher to Luxembourg?
Hedge funder Duke Buchan to Spain?
Edwin Feulner, Heritage Foundation founder to South Korea?
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