WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – It is customary for political appointees to offer their resignations prior to a new presidential administration entering the White House. Yet, questions remain around the future of a recently confirmed ambassador serving in a newly created position.
President Joe Biden nominated Dr. Mike Sfraga almost two years ago to be the first U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. The position was created to lead and coordinate diplomacy for U.S. interests in the region that includes parts of Russia, Greenland, Canada, Iceland, Antarctica, and the Scandinavian countries.
However, Sfraga was only sworn into office in October and typically political appointees resign before a new president takes over.
When asked if Sfraga should resign, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) responded, “No. I do not think he should resign.”
Murkowski helped advocate for Sfraga and the post. She said the Senate will have a lot of nominations to process next year and Arctic Ambassador will not be anywhere near the top of the list.
Murkowski posed this question by saying, “The question that that the administration needs to ask is, is it better to leave that vacant, or is it better to leave the folks in there who have been doing the job that are advancing United States interests in these various countries or in, Ambassador Sfraga’s position, in the Arctic?”
The State Department declined to comment but a spokesperson previously told our Alaska affiliate, KTUU, “The Ambassador is prioritizing Arctic issues beyond January 20.”
That is the same day President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated.
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said if Trump wants his own ambassador, he has that right.
“The tradition is on, whether it’s a Democrat or Republican, president gets his ambassadors. And I imagine that’s going to be the case this time as well,” said Sullivan.
Time will tell on who the ambassador will be. During a conversation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Deputy Assistant Secretary Iris Ferguson, the Defense Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic and Global Resilience, said Biden Administration officials have prioritized Arctic security and the role of the Arctic Ambassador is key.
“We have some strategic interests that we need to make sure that we call out and that we take care of and protect. So I am confident that we’re heading in the right direction,” said Ferguson.
Trump has tapped Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to be the next Secretary of State. If confirmed by the Senate, whoever serves as the Arctic Ambassador will report to him.
Senator Rubio was one of many Republicans opposed to Sfraga’s nomination. Rubio nor the Trump transition team responded to our request for comment.
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