US Ambassador Replacement

By Connor Brooks

On October 9th, US Ambassador Ms. Nikki Haley announced her retirement from the UN as President Trump’s ambassador. Ms. Haley had been the UN Ambassador for the US for about a year, and had already planned to retire around her anniversary. Trump has yet to release details

about a possible new candidate, but in a recent interview, he rattled off a few names—like his own daughter, Ivanka Trump. However, in a tweet on social media, Ivanka Trump stated “It is an honor to serve in the White House alongside so many great colleagues, and I know that the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley. That replacement will not be me.” Although Ivanka has the support of her father, Donald Trump, she would be a possible replacement for the UN Ambassador she believes there is a more suitable replacement besides herself.


During the interview, Trump also mentioned the names Richard Grenell and Dina Powell. Richard Grenell is currently the US’ Ambassador for Germany, was nominated by Trump, and was later confirmed on April 26. Grenell’s confirmation made history since he was the first openly gay spokesman for a Republican Presidential Candidate. In 2001, Richard Grenell was appointed to serve as Director of Communications and Public Diplomacy under George W. Bush. Also, back in 2012, Richard Grenell had briefly served under Mitt Romney as the Foreign Affairs and National Spokesman as well.


Dina Powell was a former executive and former deputy national security advisor to Donald Trump. Dina was first introduced to politics while studying at the University of Texas, where she worked alongside the senator of Texas as well. Powell also put her Law School plans on hold to work for the Republicans who currently held Capitol Hill. Dina Powell had previously worked with President George W. Bush’s administration back in 2003, where she was working with higher authorities at the White House and State Department. Further down the road in 2007, Dina Powell had transitioned to a private sector that ran Goldman Sachs’ philanthropic efforts and their 1000 Womens Initiative. Although Dina Powell is being held higher than other possible replacements for Nikki Haley, she has asked for time to consider the role of US Ambassador for the UN.
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Both candidates have the skills and knowledge needed to become the new UN Ambassador; however, Grenell and Powell are still apart of a long list of others who possess similar, if not more beneficial skills to handle the position as well. Students like Sierra Suarez at Glenelg High School would suggest, “An Ambassador should be someone who demonstrates the morals and standards that America represents, Morals like honesty, responsibility, civility and respect”. Sierra Suarez believes that Ambassadors are an extension of the US people as a whole and should demonstrate the following traits when addressing issues in the UN. As more and more people are becoming eligible to vote in the upcoming Midterms, this could possible be something that the President might have us citizen vote on. A student like Bilal Qamar, of Glenelg High School, also mentioned, “UN Ambassadors need good communication skills when speaking to people of different culture and background”. The next US UN Ambassador must be prepared to step up and be responsible when representing America when serious topics arise.