Matt Whitaker, picked by President-elect Donald Trump for the role of NATO ambassador, might face a bumpy road through confirmation hearings. Whitaker's a former U. S. attorney, lobbyist, and briefly served as acting attorney general during Trump's first term. However, he seems short on foreign affairs experience.
He was effective in prosecuting drug crimes as the U. S. attorney for Southern Iowa. But, he wasn't always successful in high-profile cases. Plus, businesses he led faced controversies and lawsuits. Even his salary at one advocacy group took a huge chunk of their budget.
Whitaker's past statements might raise eyebrows too. He once said judges shouldn't be "secular" and that states have the right to dismiss federal laws. That's not only a wrong constitutional view but also a dangerous one, given the Civil War's history.
The biggest issue? Whitaker was tied to World Patent Marketing, a company known for dubious practices, including a "time travel" cryptocurrency. He used his U. S. attorney background to threaten complainers, which is both unprofessional and unethical.
Without traditional diplomatic experience and this baggage, Whitaker's path to Senate confirmation looks tough. But, a president deserves some leeway with nominees. Maybe hearings will surprise us.
