President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Matthew Whitaker, his former acting attorney general, as the next US ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Whitaker’s appointment comes at a crucial time, amid a rapidly escalating war between Russia and Ukraine and rising tensions over US NATO spending. Little is known about Whitaker’s foreign policy positions, but in a statement today, Trump indicated he would take a tough, America-first approach. “Matt is a fierce warrior and loyal patriot who will ensure that the interests of the United States are advanced and defended,” the president-elect wrote on social media. Trump added that Whitaker would also work to “strengthen relationships with our NATO allies.” The nomination comes as Trump quickly fills out his second term in the Cabinet and administration, including some controversial choices such as Matt Gaetz as attorney general and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health czar.

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