President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that former ambassador to Germany and top supporter Richard Grenell will serve as special presidential envoy on “special assignments,” giving a number on the touted ally’s role in the second Trump administration. Weeks of speculation have come to an end.
Posted by Truth SocialPresident Trump said the former acting director of national intelligence and special envoy for dialogue on Serbia and Kosovo “will be working in some of the hottest regions in the world, including Venezuela and North Korea.”
The scope of the newly created position is unclear, and Trump’s transition team did not respond to requests for further details. Given the apparent focus on global flashpoints, Grenell’s portfolio could include Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Haiti, or any other crisis.
Grenell’s name was conspicuously absent from early administration and cabinet positions, but the announcement solves the mystery of his role in the second Trump administration. Grenell had been pushing to become secretary of state, but lost to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, frustrating voices on the foreign policy right. He also declined the position of Director of National Intelligence.
Speculation subsequently emerged whether Grenell would be named special envoy for Iran, the Russia-Ukraine crisis, or take on a high-profile ambassadorship.
President Trump has hinted in recent days that his supporters would fill key positions. playing cards Posted on Truth Social on Wednesday night:: “Richard Grenell is a great guy and a star. He’s going to be somewhere high up!”
Grenell’s position could put him at odds with Rubio, and it was not clear from the announcement how his role would interact with the State Department.
Trump’s post did not specify whether Grenell would undergo the confirmation process. By law, special envoys must be approved by the Senate, but the Biden administration has at times circumvented that. By fine-tuning the job description. Grenell has been a punitive defender of the president-elect and could face criticism from lawmakers, but he remains likely to be confirmed if he faces the Senate confirmation process.
