(USAToday)
Heather Nauert, President Donald Trump's pick to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, withdrew her name from consideration on Saturday amid concerns about her qualifications for the high-profile post. Nauert, a former Fox News host who now serves as the State Department's spokesperson, cited the strain on her family in announcing her decision.
“I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Pompeo for the trust they placed in me for considering me for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations," Nauert said in a statement. "However, the past two months have been grueling for my family and therefore it is in the best interest of my family that I withdraw my name from consideration," she said.
Critics had sharply questioned Trump's appointment of Nauert, saying she did not have the foreign policy experience or political skills needed for such a key diplomatic job. Trump's first U.N. ambassador, ex-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, left at the end of last year.
Nauert has served as the State Department’s chief spokeswoman since April 2017, winning Trump over with her polished, camera-ready defense of his "America First" approach to foreign policy. She has also earned the trust of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, traveling the globe with the former Kansas congressman and ex-CIA director. Read more