What to Know About Matthew Whitaker, Trump’s Nominee for NATO Ambassador

Former Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker is Donald Trump’s pick to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO, the Western alliance the president-elect once said was in danger of making itself “obsolete.”

In a Nov. 20 statement announcing the nomination, Trump described Whitaker as “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who will “ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended.”

He added that Whitaker would strengthen ties with NATO allies, “stand firm” against threats to peace, and above all, put America first.

“I have full confidence in Matt’s ability to represent the United States with Strength, Integrity, and unwavering Dedication,” Trump said. “I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to promote PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, Freedom, and Prosperity around the World.”

The appointment comes just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for using his nation’s nuclear arsenal. The move followed President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine use U.S.-provided missiles to strike targets in Russian territory.

Here are five things to know about Whitaker.

An Attorney and Athlete

Initially from Des Moines, Iowa, Whitaker earned his juris doctor in 1995 from the University of Iowa—the same school from which he obtained his bachelor’s degree and MBA.

While in college, Whitaker played the position of tight end for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was a member of the 1990 Big Ten Conference championship team. In 1992, he received the Big Ten Medal of Honor for his academic and athletic achievements.

Whitaker’s decades of legal experience include years in private practice and as a corporate counsel, as well as five years as a U.S. attorney and a few months as acting attorney general.

He is currently an of counsel attorney at Graves Garrett Greim and serves as the co-chair of the Center for Law and Justice at the America First Policy Center.

Prior Presidential Appointments

Trump tapped Whitaker to temporarily replace his embattled first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, in November 2018.

Trump fired Sessions over the former Alabama senator’s recusal from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of alleged ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Whitaker had spent about a year serving as Sessions’s chief of staff when Trump catapulted him into his former boss’s office. His time as acting attorney general was short-lived, however, ending in February 2019 with Bill Barr’s swearing in. In those few short months, Whitaker oversaw the Justice Department’s rollout of a ban on bump stocks and supervised the Mueller investigation.

Whitaker also served as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from 2004 to 2009 at the appointment of former President George W. Bush. While in that role, he also served on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, offering his professional opinions on violent and organized crime, white collar crime, and drug trafficking.

Forays Into Politics

Whitaker has sought elected office twice, though neither time successfully.

In 2002, he was the Republican nominee for Iowa state treasurer. He lost to Democrat Michael Fitzgerald.

Whitaker also made a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2014. He ran to replace Iowa’s former Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat, but lost the Republican primary to Sen. Joni Ernst.

New Role

Trump’s position on NATO has evolved since his first presidential bid. “I said it was obsolete. It’s no longer obsolete,” Trump said in April 2017, attributing his about-face to assurances that the organization would ramp up its efforts to combat terrorism.

Since then, Trump has focused his criticism on other NATO members’ levels of defense spending.

If confirmed by the Senate, Whitaker will replace current Ambassador Julianne Smith. A longtime ally and defender of the president-elect, he will be tasked with serving as Trump’s eyes, ears, and voice on the North Atlantic Council, which includes 31 other countries.