WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he is nominating former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be his U.S. ambassador to Israel.
“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”
Trump has expressed steadfast support for Israel more than one year into its war in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. As president, Trump moved the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and was considered a strong ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Huckabee, a Baptist minister and former Fox News host, served as governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for president in 2008 and in 2016 against Trump. Huckabee currently hosts a show on the religious broadcast network TBN.
Huckabee’s daughter, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary during Trump’s first presidency.
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Trump has filled at least seven other positions since his White House victory.
The incoming Republican president’s hires include his senior 2024 campaign adviser Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff; Elise Stefanik nominated to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; longtime immigration advisor Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy; Tom Homan picked to oversee deportation policy and aviation security; former New York congressman Lee Zeldin nominated head the Environmental Protection Agency; and Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as the national security adviser.
This is developing news.
Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.
