President Joe Biden has reportedly made his final decisions on high profile ambassador’s around the world and is set to announce his picks ahead of his first overseas trip since taking office.
CNN is reporting the White House has started notifying countries of the President’s decision. That is one of the final steps before a formal announcement is made but as of Thursday, the White House is tight lipped about when the official announcement will be made.
“We hope to have more soon,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at Thursday’ press briefing.
Diplomats to China, Japan, Israel, India, and other European countries are expected to be in the first announcement. Nicholas Burns, a career top diplomat, is expected to be named as ambassador to China. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel is reportedly set to be nominated as ambassador to Japan.
Tom Nides, the former deputy secretary of state in the Obama administration, is expected to be nominated as ambassador to Israel. This particular role has taken on extensive meaning in the past few weeks after the nine day bloodshed between Israel and Gaza along with the expected fall of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Cindy McCain, wife of the late Sen. John McCain is expected to be tapped as US envoy to the United Nations Food Program in Rome. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is also reportedly in the conversation to be selected as ambassador to India.
All of Biden’s picks will have to go through confirmation hearings in the Senate, which means none of the ambassadors will be in their posts before early fall. The Biden administration’s policy on the Middle East will likely be heavily criticized by Republicans at the confirmation hearings later this summer.
Former Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill and former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake are also names that are reportedly in consideration for Biden’s ambassador roles.
